JESUS CHRIST, the BEGINNING and the END

"And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely" (Rev 21:6). "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Rev 22:13).

Devotion 15 of 20

OF HIM, THROUGH HIM, AND TO HIM

The dominance of Deity is scarcely known by professing Christendom. Somehow, it comes across to me that relatively few people can make an association between EVERYTHING that occurs and the Living God, as revealed in Christ Jesus. Yet, the Scriptures speak plainly on this subject. Deity governs the affairs of the universe, both among men and other created personalities! The scepter has never been, nor will it ever be, taken from God! "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are ALL things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen" (Rom 11:36).

Some might imagine because Jesus is not mentioned directly, He really is not included. But this is not the case. The Father has placed everything into the hands of Christ. He is the custodian of all Divine power. What the Father does, He does through the Son. Therefore it is written, "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, BY WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, and we by Him" (1 Cor 8:6).

Because Christ's rule is related to salvation, one of His ruling titles is "Captain" of salvation. As it is written, "For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Heb 2:10). This involves two aspects of Divine rule. First, Jesus is the Pioneer, or Trailblazer of our faith, going before us, conquering all adversaries. Second, He is "bringing many sons to glory," leading them through the treacherous terrain of earth all the way to the throne of God.

The declaration of the totality of Christ's authority, and the effectiveness of his reign, are repeatedly presented to us by the Spirit. "The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of ALL)" (Acts 10:36). "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given ALL THINGS into his hand" (John 3:35). "ALL POWER is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt 28:18). "As Thou hast given Him power over ALL FLESH, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him" (John 17:2). "Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made SUBJECT UNTO HIM" (1 Pet 3:22). There is nothing you require that Jesus cannot bring to you, and no foe He cannot subdue. Let your soul rest in this glorious reality.

A remarkable recognition of this aspect of Jesus is found in Paul the Apostle. Having experienced unusual insights into the Kingdom of God, an impediment was given to him, lest he be exalted above measure. At first, the reason for this disability eluded the Apostle. Diligently, and with fervor, he asked the Lord to remove the "thorn in the flesh." Finally, it was revealed to Paul that what he possessed was more of an advantage than a handicap, because it was a channel through which the power of Christ would be realized. Paul's account of this is refreshing to the soul.

"And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me" (2 Cor 12:7-9, NASB).

Notice what the Apostle sought to be resident in him: "the power of Christ." That "power" was for the execution of Divine purpose in Paul, and it was facilitated through the preeminence of Christ. For Paul, Jesus was "the Beginning." His quest for Jesus accounts for his remarkable labors and spiritual insight. He was not a super man, but a spiritual one. There is no reason why you cannot be one also.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You that no facet of life is beyond the power and authority of Christ. Grant me grace to always have a firm grip on that fact.

-- Tomorrow: A RELATIVELY UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCE --