by Brandon Cox: When you imagine what Jesus looks like, do you picture him from an illustration from Sunday School? Perhaps a painting from the era of the Renaissance? Or maybe as he is often portrayed in movies about his life?

I believe Jesus was incredibly winsome and gracious. His smile, his laugh, and the look of sincere love in his eyes were magnetic. But if all you see is Jesus in robe and sandals, you might be missing out on an incredibly worshipful moment.

The Apostle whom Jesus loved, John, wrote in the final book of the Bible about his vision of Jesus, and it’s quite different than the picture of him that we encounter in the Bible. It’s a post-resurrection image. It’s Jesus as he is now, and while the description may contain symbolic language, the imagery is to be pressed into our minds for a reason.

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead…

~ Revelation 1:12-17 NIV

However Jesus made people feel during his walk on earth, it’s important to realize that in his post-resurrection glory, he is also something else to us. In addition to being the loving, kind, and compassionate Savior, he is also the victorious King, fierce Warrior, and righteous Judge of all creation.

John’s reaction to this vision was to fall at Jesus’ feet like a dead man. Sometimes worship looks like raised hands, smiles, tears, and happy shouts of praise. And sometimes worship is falling down at the feet of Jesus with no life of our own left in us, totally at his mercy and giving all of our glory to him.

If you’ve not had a moment of worship like that lately, stop now and close your eyes. Envision King Jesus, ruling and reigning and judging every enemy of the cross from all of history. Fall at his feet. Feel the utter abandon of self required to live in complete dependence on him.

And then, Jesus will minister to you just as he did to John:

Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

~ Revelation 1:17-18 NIV

John, it’s okay. I understand your shock, your awe, your sense of trepidation. But it’s okay. It’s me, Jesus. And I hold the keys. I am here as your victorious King. I’m not here to bring you death. I’m here to bring you to life.

And to any who bow the knee in faith before him today, he utters the same promise of comfort and peace. Praise his Majesty today!