Monday 21st September
Each midweek day during our autumn series we will publish a Thought for The Day that is related to the letter that was the subject of the previous weeks Sunday talk. So, over the next five days we are going to take a look at the letter dictated by Jesus and written by John to the church at Ephesus.
Each of the seven letters begins with Jesus revealing something unique about Himself. Jesus unveils Himself in different ways to the seven different churches but with a specific and precise purpose. All declare His supremacy.
The Supremacy of Christ
Who’s holding who? – Who is in control?
“The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lamps stands…” Rev 2:1
Ephesus was a strategically important seaport city with a population of over 250,000 people. Whilst this doesn’t sound large by today’s standards, it is when you consider the world’s population when the letter was written was only 190m. Ephesus would have been the equivalent of a London or New York by today’s standards.
Ephesus was also held a high status as the capital of the Roman province of Asia. As such the social, economic and spiritual future of this important city and the surrounding region was firmly in the hands of the imperial power of Rome. Rome’s hold and influence over this city and the region was so strong that an ‘imperial cult’ had developed and temples had been built in which the citizens of such cities worshipped the emperor as ‘Lord’. Rome was exclusively in control, the city was held firmly in the grip of the imperial system. Or was it? It is into this situation that Jesus reveals Himself and in doing so turns this theory completely on its head!
At the dictation of Jesus Himself John writes; “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lamps stands…”
So, in this region, who holds these cities and their respect churches in their tight grip? NOT Rome, nor the Roman emperor! Jesus declares that He is the one who has a firm grip on the church in Ephesus and the other 6 churches in this part of Central Asia; it is He who is The True Emperor! Not only that, He is profoundly present in the middle of the situation. He is walking between these locations.
What does this mean for us today? Firstly, whilst we may have many concerns about the action of the governments of day and their impact on the church, ultimately they do not have the final say. Whilst we thank God for those who leads us and pray for them, the future of our towns, cities and indeed our nation is not in the hands of any politician, it is in the hands of Jesus Himself. Secondly, we often think that we are holding on! Of course in one sense that is true, we are called to remain and faithful and in that sense we hold onto the faith that God has deposited in our hearts. However, these verses reassure us, Jesus is the one who has everything within the scope of His sovereign rule.
In whatever situation we may find ourselves may God give us eyes to see that He is the one who is truly ‘Lord’. HE is Lord of ALL! ALL things are firmly in His grip!