Victorious Christ
Scripture Reading — Revelation 1:4-18
No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame.
—Psalm 25:3
It is New Year’s Eve, and we look forward in hope to a new year filled with potential, but we also know there is uncertainty. A review of 2013 reminds us of the changes a year can bring—some good, some very painful. What will happen in 2014?
We opened this month by asking “What is the source of our hope?” And through Scripture we have seen God in Jesus meet-ing our deepest needs. Now on this New Year’s Eve we look once again to Jesus—the Savior who has come and who now reigns in heaven until the day he will come again.
Words can only begin to describe the power and glory of the ascended Savior. He is the Lord of life. John describes Jesus as standing in long flowing robes. Long robes were worn by royalty, or at times of celebration. They were a sign of victory, security, and work completed. A person fleeing danger or a worker could not be encumbered with a long robe. But Christ stands in flowing robes.
There is no threat to his kingdom; his redemptive work is fully accomplished. Children of this victorious King have eternal security. As we enter the New Year, may we all declare, “My only comfort in life and in death is that I belong to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ!”
In a world of uncertainty, we thank you, Lord, for the comfort, hope, and peace we have because we belong to you. Thank you for being our security and allowing us to share in your victory. Amen.
About the author — Calvin Aardsma
Calvin Aardsma has been a pastor for more than thirty years. He has served churches in Indiana, Oregon, and the Chicago area. Currently, he is a pastor of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lansing, Illinois. He also serves on the board of the Ugandan Orphanage Relief Fund. Cal and his wife, Sandy, have four children and five grandchildren.
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