Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
REVELATION 2:1
To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
Ephesus was the “Lumen Asiae,” the Light of Asia, a self-governing free city within the Roman Empire that connected routes from Galatia, Mesopotamia, and points south to the highway leading to Rome. It had a gigantic temple for the worship of Artemis, smaller ones dedicated to the emperor cults of Nero and Claudius, and it hosted a famous set of games. Cosmopolitan, pagan, and commercial, Ephesus was Paul’s home for longer than he stayed anywhere else. And John the Apostle, the beloved disciple and author of Revelation, was the bishop, or leader, of the Christian community there, for many years.
The angel (Aggelos) of the church could be its current leader, its messenger, its guardian angel, or its true self. But regardless, the words written came from Christ, the one who holds the stars, or churches of the region, in his hand, and walks among them.
PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you that your Son holds his churches and sustains them, walking in their midst. Thank you that he speaks words of affirmation and encouragement and warning to us. Thank you that the church moved into the world of commerce and spoke your truth in many languages and locations. Thank you for John and his leadership and writing. Amen.
