Daily Devotions

The New Testament was written in the Greek, with the first letter of the alphabet  called “alpha” and the last letter is called “omega”. The idea of God being the first and the last is also found in the Old Testament.

However, in the New Testament, this is applied to Jesus, and expressed by the name “Alpha and Omega”. In Revelations 22:13 we read, “I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Explicitly, this is saying that Jesus is before all things and that all things proceed from him. It also points out that Jesus is also unending, so that all things find their conclusion in him and that he should be our focus at the beginning, the centre, and at the end of our lives.

"From start to finish," "from top to bottom," "from first to last"—each of these phrases expresses completeness, thoroughness, totality. In our verse today, Jesus asserts his totality using the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: "I am the Alpha and the Omega." And then, to make sure we get it, he adds, ". . . the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Jesus uses this name for himself nine times in the book of Revelation.

As "the Alpha and the Omega," Jesus declares his divinity, and he asserts his sovereignty as Lord of heaven and earth, the Creator and the final Judge to whom every knee shall bow.

Jesus also links the claim "I am the Alpha and the Omega" with his declaration "I am coming soon." With pain and suffering so rampant in our world, the promise of his return to make all things right is a great comfort. As with many of Jesus' words, however, his coming again presents challenges too.

Father God, thank you for the blessings of the past year. Please guide me as I seek to use your blessings in what lies ahead. Inspire my confidence about your future for me and fill me with joy because of your salvation. For all that has been good, holy, and gracious, I give you thanks and praise. For all the ways I've sinned, failed, or stumbled, I ask for your forgiveness. And for tomorrow, and another new day, I wait with anticipation and gladness, for I know that I will can be at home with you where days and years no longer matter. In Jesus' name the Alpha and Omega, I pray. Amen.