Alpha and Omega; Beginning and End
by Ron Scurfield
‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’ (Genesis 1:1). Before that there was nothing, except God, who is eternal (Genesis 21:33). God has always been in existence. But where was Jesus?
He too has always existed. ‘Before anything was created He was there, alongside the Father. ‘I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth’ (Proverbs 8:23). He was the Word that brought all things into being. God said, ‘Let there be…’ and there was. ‘I was the craftsman at His side. I was filled with delight day after day.. rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind’ (Proverbs 8:30).
Jesus is the source of life and is Himself, eternal life. His life was the light in the darkness that showed the way to God. ‘In Him was life, and the life was the light of men’ (John 1:4). Even now the Light continues to shine in the darkness. ‘Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil’ (John 3:19).
Temptation, sin and rebellion are still rife on this earth. Man’s perfect relationship with God was destroyed. A rescue plan was put into place. Jesus became one of us; the perfect, sinless man, and took upon Himself the death which was the consequence of the sin of mankind. ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16). ‘To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God’ (John 1:12). But many did not receive, and are still floundering in despair and confusion.
Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12), piercing the darkness of sin. He became the sacrificial Lamb, and died on the cross of Calvary so that mankind could share His resurrected life. And His Light still shines.
All that had to be done is now done (John 19:30), The Lamb has taken His rightful place at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33): He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). ‘He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God’ (Revelation 19:13).
And He is waiting - waiting for as many as would come into the Light and receive the promised eternal life (John 17:3). But time is short. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.. Look, I am coming soon! ” (Revelation 22:12-13).
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You for the day You came into my life. I know that in You I have eternal life. That life is not just something to look forward to in the future. Eternal life began the day I received You, and will last forever. No one can ever take it from me. Thank You and praise You, Lord Jesus. I will be with You, always. Amen.
Ron Scurfield with his wife Jill, are part of the Associate Ministry Team at Ellel Grange and occasionally Ellel Scotland. Ron enjoys walking and writing and meeting interesting people, but his greatest joy is seeing God transform lives, setting people free to live the abundant life that Jesus intended.
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