December 14: The First and the Last
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
At this time of year, we focus on the Christmas accounts, soaking in the nativity narrative of the gospels. And the Christmas season quite rightfully celebrates that time in history when God’s plan of redemption became that much more real to us through his physically involving Himself in His creation. But we know that the redemption story stretches beyond this pivotal historical moment. It stretches back beyond the foundations of the world into time eternally past. It stretches forward to the close of human history and into time eternal to come. In the closing verses of the book of Revelation, John repeats a defining statement four times, one that defines the identity of our Saviour. It was common that Jewish rabbis would use the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet to denote the whole of anything. This claim “I am the Alpha and the Omega” is Jesus’ declaration – He is the whole of the story. The whole of our salvation, the whole of our hope and expectation.
He is the Alpha and Omega; preeminent as the first, present for eternity past. Present before creation, and the God of creation. He was present in creation. God come as man, to be born in a lowly farmer’s shed, unheralded by the world, denied by most.
He is the First and the Last; come to live the perfect life in obedience to the Father to offer Himself on a cross. He has resurrected, and ascended to Heaven where he awaits the end of this present creation, leaving us the Holy Spirit until that time.
He is the Beginning and the End; present for eternity to come whose actions will be the last. He is bringing salvation for those who have obediently responded to who He is.
This Christmas season, let us celebrate Jesus, God the Son with us, the baby in the manger, the one who would eventually offer Himself on a cross. But let us not diminish our understanding to a historical narrative. He is the whole of the story, but the whole story goes far beyond the Christmas season. Is He your purpose, your hope, your whole story? And does your whole story reside within Him?