WHITE HORSE RIDER... Sunday

Devotional for 2/23/14

This week I was privileged to go to the world's largest Arabian horse show... twice!  It is a most exciting and colorful competition over 1 1/2 weeks.  I do love horses.  I admire their strength and beauty.  I marvel at how their muscles ripple beneath their skin, with their hooves practically floating over the earth.  They come in all colors/patterns, but I find the white ones most striking.  The riders are amazing also when they are in sync with their mount.  From the fast-paced barrel racer to the graceful dressage equestrian, they are a joy to watch. And their costumes are gorgeous, some with blinding amounts of jewels and bling and in all the colors of the rainbow or just pure white. I consider horses to be a symbol of both beauty and power, and white to be a symbol of purity.

In the book of Revelation in the Bible, John tells us of his vision of heaven.  He sees Jesus coming on a white horse - beauty, power and purity all wrapped together.  We often think of Jesus as loving and peaceful, but we see in this image that he is also a righteous judge and a war-maker.  His searing eyes can see what truly is in our hearts; he knows all things. He is also wearing a  crown of jewels as a divine ruler over his subjects.  His robe is dipped in blood, either the blood of his enemies, or the blood he shed for us on the cross to atone for our sins.  This vision is very powerful:

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.  Revelation 19:11-13 (ESV)

So when people try to make Jesus out as meek and mild all the time, remember this vision of John's showing Jesus returning as the white horse rider, in all power and glory.  When he does return, may we not be afraid but be confident in his merciful covering over of our sins that has won for us our salvation.

written by Jan Andersen

Song for today....