The author… the craftsman who uses words as his/her paint brush. The author… communicates with authority and power and reliability. An author leverages credentials, life experience, training, pedigree, and origin for the good of those who are the object of the communication.
That is why, when the Apostle John took dictation from Jesus using the pen of the Holy Spirit, he started seven letters to seven different churches by making the resume of the author the opening sentence.
“The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.”
“The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.”
“The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.”
“The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.”
“The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.”
“The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.”
“The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.” (ESV)
The words… awe inspiring and humbling.
Several things are clear as I read the preamble to each of the seven letters; Jesus is not to be trifled with. He holds seven stars in His hand. His words are a two-edge sword. His eyes are like fire and His feet shine. He is awe producing. He occupies holy ground. Treating Him like “one of the boys” is a gross miscalculation. We do our best to walk worthy of our King, not to earn His favor, but to show that we have some comprehension of just how costly His grace is.
But He’s also approachable. He opens the door that He alone has the key to. He is our Savior who came and died and rose again. He is the creator, a witness… faithful and true. Our Amen.
His words matter. They convict and reassure. They penetrate and they soothe. They propel and they interrupt. They comfort and they condemn.
Shame argues against His love and mercy; just as sin offends His justice and holiness.
The words of Jesus… worship inducing and hope inciting. He will not be mocked by our arrogant defiance, and He will not recoil at our confession.
Grace and truth in words…
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