Ever meet an old friend you haven’t seen for years who’s changed so much you don’t recognize him? And maybe the old friend says the same thing about you? As we age appearances reshape (or lose shape). But it’s always disconcerting to not recognize someone you should know.

The apostle John failed to recognize an old friend as well. The Roman emperor Domitian banished John to the island of Patmos to stop him from preaching about Jesus. One day while in the Spirit, he heard a voice like rushing waters telling him to write down a message. Turning around, John saw a figure glowing from head to foot, with eyes of blazing fire. He immediately collapsed as if dead.

The brilliant figure placed his hand on John and said, Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

John did not recognize Jesus, even though he spent three years in his presence and enjoyed a close relationship. Jesus stood before him transformed beyond comprehension. Stunned, John eventually gathered his wits and started taking notes.

Jesus is so much more than what I picture in my head. Kinder and gentler, firmer and stronger, alive and present. As John experienced, Jesus is more staggeringly glorious than anything I can imagine. If Jesus appeared to us in his glory we would all fall down as if dead.

Don’t underestimate Jesus. He’s more amazing than we realize.

Revelation 1 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Motoki Tonn