John is filled with joyful...
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John is filled with joyful awe in the vision of the Risen Lord in today's Revelation reading. He's reflecting similar thoughts which I recently heard presented in a lecture by the internationally known Scripture scholar, Eugene LaVerdiere, who contrasted the Jesus of Nazareth with the Risen Lord.
LaVerdiere explained that Jesus of Nazareth was of Jewish lineage, perhaps six feet tall, with olive-colored skin, male, and part of a unique culture in a particular time and place. Because of these limiting qualities, most people throughout the world could not equally or adequately identify with Jesus.
The Risen Lord, however, is not limited to any particular nation or culture. He's no certain color and is neither male nor female, but genderless. He is now a universal being, and all can equally relate to the same degree. It is not Jesus of Nazareth we worship in our hearts and churches, but the Risen Lord, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
That is the glorious vision which so impresses the author of Revelation. Jesus is no longer the first-born of Mary, but the "first-born of the dead." No one needs to feel alienated from his all-embracing love.
What visions do we have of the God we serve? Easter moves us beyond individual differences to speak eloquently of the universal glory and happily reflect on the everlasting beauty of the Risen Lord.
LaVerdiere explained that Jesus of Nazareth was of Jewish lineage, perhaps six feet tall, with olive-colored skin, male, and part of a unique culture in a particular time and place. Because of these limiting qualities, most people throughout the world could not equally or adequately identify with Jesus.
The Risen Lord, however, is not limited to any particular nation or culture. He's no certain color and is neither male nor female, but genderless. He is now a universal being, and all can equally relate to the same degree. It is not Jesus of Nazareth we worship in our hearts and churches, but the Risen Lord, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
That is the glorious vision which so impresses the author of Revelation. Jesus is no longer the first-born of Mary, but the "first-born of the dead." No one needs to feel alienated from his all-embracing love.
What visions do we have of the God we serve? Easter moves us beyond individual differences to speak eloquently of the universal glory and happily reflect on the everlasting beauty of the Risen Lord.
