Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 22:16.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches.  I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”  Revelation 22:16.

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“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it;  for the time is near.”  Revelation 1:1-3.

When Jesus states that He is “the root and the descendant of David”, He is emphasizing that He is man, the Son of Man, and that He is Christ the King, heir to the throne of King David and also heir to the other wonderful promises of God to David.

When Jesus states that He is “the bright morning star”, He is emphasizing that He is God, “the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.”  John 1:9.

Putting together these two qualities of being man and God, Jesus Christ is the perfect Mediator for us.  “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”  1 Timothy 2:5-6. 

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?
A. For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.

Q. 16. Why must He be very man, and also perfectly righteous?
A. Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which hath sinned should likewise make satisfaction for sin; and one who is himself a sinner cannot satisfy for others.

Q. 17. Why must He in one person be also very God?
A. That He might, by the power of His Godhead, sustain in His human nature the burden of God’s wrath; and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.

Q. 18. Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God and a real righteous man?
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.”  2 Peter 1:19.