Revelation 2:2 (ESV)
I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
Do you ever feel that the work you do is unseen or at least
unacknowledged? How about your service as a believer and as part of the church
of Jesus? In reality, Jesus knows exactly what’s happening in church
communities—he even knows them better than they know themselves.
In this personal letter to the church in Ephesus, Jesus
reveals how close he is to this community of believers. He identifies himself
as the One who “holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the
seven golden lampstands.” In a figurative way, Jesus expresses that he holds
these communities in the grip of his hand. And he walks around in the midst of
these churches.
This is a picture of Jesus intentionally being close to
each congregation. Jesus is so close that he knows us in all our ways.
Jesus knew the church in Ephesus, and he begins this letter
with rich compliments. He says this church has been a guardian of the truth.
False teachers and false teachings found no foothold there. Perseverance in the
truth defined this church.
Jesus could say, “I know you, and I know all you are doing
for me!” He says this about your church too. Jesus knows everyone in your
church community because he holds you all in the grip of his hand and continues
to walk where your church serves.
Dear Lord, forgive us if we have supposed that you confine
yourself to heaven. Thank you for loving each of us and your church communities.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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