Who Is Your Jesus?

“Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.”

Revelation 19:11

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Yes, I am doing this devotional on a Scripture from Revelation! And yes, I did include just one verse—probably from one of the most epic chapters in the Bible. This verse is taken from an encounter John the disciple had later in life, where he was taken up into Heaven and shown many incredible things that he was instructed to write all down.

In this particular scripture, John had just finished encountering all these different songs and praises he heard from various groups in Heaven. He then actually sees an angel that he tries to worship before being rebuked! Imagine what kind of power must have been coming from that angel for John (who knew Jesus on earth!) to have tried to worship him! And then in the midst of that going on, John sees Heaven open. I wonder if Jesus saw what had just happened with John trying to worship the angel and wanted to come in to show Himself to John in all of His glory. And boy does Jesus come in His glory!

John sees a white horse and then the rider. But he doesn’t introduce the rider as Jesus (which we come to later to realize is Jesus). He introduces the man in the vision as a rider first and foremost. Horses in the Bible often represent power and what this vision is inviting us into is that Jesus is entering in with power, as if He is the victorious one leading his army. Jesus rides in a white horse, one of purity, and the Bible says His name is “Faithful” and “True.”

I’ve been meditating on this Scripture for a few months now because I find it so powerful that those are the names chosen to introduce the rider on the white horse. It’s as if those names were essential to coming to know this person, this man riding in. Names being revealed in the Bible are significant events: God reveals himself to Moses as I AM, Yahweh. Isaiah prophesies of the coming Messiah, Immanuel, God With Us. These are powerful names that unfolded new revelations of God to a generation. And now, this rider introduces himself as Faithful and True.

What of the Resurrected Messiah do we need to know is Faithful and True? That He is these words. He is constantly faithful, constant in keeping his word, constant in seeking after us. He is firm, the truth, the unending, unyielding rock. There are thousands of ways that these names can add meaning and depth to who you know of Jesus. How do you need Him to introduce Himself as Faithful and True in your life?Just meditating on this idea brings a peace to my soul!

So remember He is Faithful and True. He will always judge fairly and the war He wages in righteous. Come and behold your Jesus in His splendor and magnificence. For He is and always will be. Amen.