Keep this vision of Christ before you[i]
My family spent a few days last week at a beach resort in Destin. Michelle’s Aunt Julie reserved a condo but wasn't able to use it and instead of letting it go to waste she asked if we would like to use it free of charge. The price was right so we eagerly accepted. And boy am I glad we did. The place was beautiful. A full kitchen, dining room, and living room separated the two bedrooms suites, both of which had access to the private balcony that overlooked the heated pools and hot tubs. But I think my favorite feature was the wall of windows in the master bedroom that provided an ocean view. I have to tell you that it took me an extra long time to get out of bed in the morning. I just laid there and watched as the waves crashed ashore. I spent the majority of our mini-vacation just enjoying the view. Much of this sermon was written with white sandy beaches, rolling turquoise waves, and blue skies in the background.
It was amazing how much my ocean vista relaxed, rejuvenated, and reenergized me. I felt ... peace. Quickly the extended family frustrations I had been dealing with faded from memory and the burden of duty lifted from my shoulders. The world's problems didn't seem so important. Financial challenges seemed less challenging. And even the boys beating on each other seemed less irritating than normal.
It is amazing how the right view can make the drudgery of life seem less dreary. I wonder if that is why God provides us vistas like the one in Daniel 7:13-14. It is a vision that helps believers deal with the strain of this sin sick world. It is a vision of Christ our King.
This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday. It is the last Sunday of the church year. Next week we will turn our attention to the baby born in Bethlehem. Not long after that the landscape of Jerusalem has a man hanging on a tree. But before you see your savior as a helpless baby born in a manger, before you see him defenselessly hanging on a tree, youneed to keep this vision of Christ before you.
You need to keep this vision of Christ before you at those times when you are tempted to believe that Christ does not care: when you say your prayers but don’t hear an answer, when you read your bible but don’t feel any different, when you come to church but can’t feel the Spirit move you. You need to keep this vision of Christ before you at those times when you are tempted to believe that Christ is not really in control: when the television delivers breaking news of wars and rumors of wars, when you hear of someone you know diagnosed with cancer, when the economy affects your paycheck. When you are tempted to believe that Jesus doesn’t care or is no longer in control keep this vision of Christ before you.
The vision of Christ that is before us is the final portion of Daniel’s account of his vision of the four beasts. The four beasts which he saw represented the four great political powers that would dominate the world for the next 500 years: Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Among these beasts one “like a son of man” entered the scene.
In verse 13 we are reassured that Jesus cares,“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.” Daniel describes Jesus as “one like the son of man”. That Christ can be described this way is to me one of the most powerful reminders that Jesus cares about us. It is a reminder that true God became also true man, that the creator became part of his creation, that the ancient Logos became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Calling Christ “one like the son of man” reminds us that Christ cares so much about us that he became one of us. He cares so much about you that he willingly suffered the effects of this sinful world. Because he cares, he can relate to you and your problems, your temptations and your everything. That God the Son can also be described as “one like the son of man” is a powerful reminder that Christ cares.
He cares so much that he was willing to approach the Ancient of Days on your behalf. After the fall, Adam and Eve were afraid of the Ancient of Days. Because of sin mankind could no longer stand in the presence of the Ancient of Days. God warned Moses, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”[1] We, who are sinful, could not stand before he who is holy. I imagine my flesh would have a better chance of standing on the surface of the sun then it would to stand in the presence of the Ancient of Days.
No son of man could be led into the presence of the Ancient of Days and live. Except that is, the one who comes with the clouds of heaven. Riding on the clouds is a privilege of God. The psalmist tells us, “He[God] makes the clouds his chariotand rides on the wings of the wind.”[2] A cloud is what hid Christ from the sight of his disciples as he ascended into heaven. Upon a cloud Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father. And as our lesson from Revelation reminded us this morning, upon a cloud Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. Christ rides the clouds because Christ is God.And as true God he approached the Ancient of Days on your behalf.
The one like the son of man who also had the right to ride on the clouds approached the Ancient of Days as one who had defeated sin, death, and the devil. He approached him having successfully lived as our perfect substitute and having dutifully died as our perfect sacrifice. He approached him having paid for your sin and having won your salvation. He approached him so that you would no longer be afraid of, so that you could see the face of, so that you could stand in the presence of -the Ancient of Days. That Christ approached the Ancient of Days on your behalf is another powerful reminder that Christ cares about you.
When you are tempted to believe that Christ does not care: when you say your prayers but don’t hear an answer, when you read your bible but don’t feel any different, when you come to church but can’t feel the Spirit move you, keep this vision of Christ before you and be assured that Christ cares about you.
I like that Christ is described as “one like the son of man” It reminds me that he cares. But it is also a reminder that he is in control. Christ often described himself as the Son of Man. When Satan used Peter to try and prevent Christ’s crucifixion, Christ called himself Son of Man. When Judas left the table to betray his teacher, Christ called himself the Son of Man. When his disciples fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane Christ called himself the Son of Man. When the high priest threatened Christ with crucifixion, Christ called himself the Son of Man. There are over 80 references to Christ as the Son of Man in the New Testament. And I can’t help but wonder if partly that is because Christ himself wanted to be reminded of Daniel’s vision. As Christ was tempted, tested, and tortured I imagine it was comforting to be reminded that Christ, the Son of Man, was in control.
In verse 14 we are reassured that Christ is in control. “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” As true God, all the authority of heaven and earth belonged to Christ. As true God, the angels sang of Christ’s glory. As true God, Christ ruled the kingdom of heaven. Authority, glory, and power have always belonged to Jesus. But while he walked this earth it was often hard for the disciples to understand. Once in a while his authority over wind and waves was witnessed. On the mountain of transfiguration his glory was glimpsed. Occasionally his power over angels and demons was seen. But while Christ walked the earth the full use of his divinity was set aside.
But that is no longer the case. Christ now has resumed the full use of his divinity. All the authority, glory, and power he has always had as true God is now also his as true man. God the Father has given it to him. There are no authorities that exist except those that Christ allows. No false god, prophet, or people are honored more than The Father has honored the Son. Even if we cannot always see the authority, power, and glory of Christ, even if many peoples, nations, and men of every language have rejected the authority, glory, and power of Christ, that does not change the fact that Christis King. That Christ has been made king of heaven and earth is a powerful reminder that Christ is in control.
And not only is Christ our king, but his kingdom is eternal. The prophets and princes of this world rise and fall. The Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans never thought their kingdoms would fall. And yet fall they have. There is but one kingdom that has always been and will always be. Christ’s kingdom is everlasting. Christ’s kingdom will not pass away. Christ’s kingdom will never be destroyed. That Christ rules a kingdom that was is and will be is a powerful reminder that Christ is in control.
When you are tempted to believe that Jesus is not really in control: when the evening news delivers breaking news of wars and rumors of wars, when you hear of someone you know diagnosed with cancer, when the economy affects your paycheck, keep this vision of Christ before you and be assured that Jesus is in control.
If your aunt Julie ever offers you a free stay at a resort on the beach in Destin I strongly suggest you accept. The vista is relaxing, rejuvenating, and reenergizing. But even better then the views of Destin’s beach is the Word of God. I pray that the vision your Lord has given you today of Christ your King be a powerful reminder that Jesus cares and Jesus is in control. As you deal with the effects of this sin sick world, keep this vision of Christ before you. Amen
[1]Ex 33:20
[2]Ps 104:3
[i] Daniel 7:13-14Christ the King November 25th 2012Pastor Harmon Lewis @ Saving Grace Lutheran Church, Mobile, AL