For the last several weeks Jesus’ birth has been the topic of conversation. Rightly so, since contrary to popular culture that’s what Christmas is about. That’s why the church studies it, sings about it, and puts on musicals and plays depicting it. That’s why you read about Jesus’ birth with your family and place mangers around your house and in your yard. Christmas is about Jesus. His birth is the reason for the season.
Jesus’ birth is important because it marks the in-breaking of God into history. His birth begins God’s rescue mission to save His people from sin, Satan, and death. So its only right we would remember and reflect on it every year.
There is a Still A Longing in Our Hearts
But as one author says,
“Christmas is … a promise. Yes, the Savior has come and with Him peace on earth, but the story is not finished. Yes, there is peace in our hearts, but we long for peace in our world. Every Christmas is a “turning of the page” until Jesus returns. Every December 25th marks another year that draws us closer to the fulfillment of the ages, that draws us closer to … home.”
The author is right. We have peace in our hearts because the long awaited Savior has come and has died on the cross. That’s not, however, where the story ends.
The Final Chapter
The story doesn’t end with Jesus lying in a manger or hanging on a cross. Nor does the story end with the resurrected Savior ascending into heaven. There is still one more chapter to come. A chapter where Jesus isn’t painted as a humble babe in a manger or a bloodied corpse hanging on a cross. No, the final chapter paints Jesus as a warrior King poised to conquer His enemies.
The Rider on the White Horse
Read the Words of Revelation 19
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 isThe Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. (Revelation 19:11-21, ESV)
The Warrior King
John’s picture of Jesus in Revelation is a far different picture than most have of Him. Even so, this is the Jesus we all long to meet. The Jesus who will defeat our enemies once and for all. The Jesus who will fulfill the longing in our hearts. The One we should all turn and follow.
While it was necessary for Jesus to come as a man and die as a man, the story doesn’t end there. The story ends with Jesus conquering our enemies and reigning over His people as a Warrior King. Since that is true, our call should be: Come, Lord Jesus come!
Questions for Reflection
- When you picture Jesus, who do you picture Him as?
- Do you realize Jesus will come as a Warrior King one day to destroy His enemies?
Resources
Quote: Joni Eareckson Tada, A Christmas Longing, 137 in Come Thou Long Expected Savior edited by Nancy Guthrie.
Christianity Matters 
I still picture Jesus as the lamb.
Jesus is so many things because he is, well, Jesus. He is divine. I still see him as a lamb. People saw him at one time to be the leader of a revolution and didn’t understand his true purpose. I think the same is true today. I think there is a battle going on that we cannot see with human eyes where he continues to fight. Of course, the war is won and the enemy is defeated but our daily battles still exist, satan still attempts to rob and destroy and we need an example of a warrior as well as a lamb.
Jeff,
I still picture Jesus as the lamb, the baby in a manger, the bloodied corpse on a cross, and the resurrected king sitting in glory reigning at the Father’s right hand too. But as I said at the end of last weeks sermon, we can’t forget the last chapter. We can’t forget the Jesus who will come back, defeat our enemies and make everything right again. I believe people have a tendency to do that. To forget there is a coming Warrior King who will judge the nations. They forget that because their blinders only allow Him to be seen as a humble babe in a manger or a slaughtered lamb, even though it isn’t popular to view Jesus as the slaughtered Lamb because that implies punishment for sin. And, well, people just aren’t comfortable with us being labeled as sinners, but that is another topic for another post.
Thanks for commenting. Thanks for upholding Jesus as the slain Lamb who has defeated our enemies and freed us from Sin, Satan, and Death. He has done those things indeed. We need to praise Him for that. We need not forget that.
Blessings,
Casey
Hi Casey. Will you please tell me whee this statue of the Warrior Jesus on a White Horse is located?
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