In the book of Revelation, the author adds another name to the list of names of Jesus when he calls him the “bright and morning star”. This star is understood to be Venus, the brightest of the universe’s “stars”.
Although we know now that Venus is a planet and not a star, the ancients didn’t know the difference.They simply recognised Venus as the first, brightest, and most beautiful star.
In the same way, Jesus is different to all others. He is the first, the brightest and the most beautiful.
Andrew Bonar, a minister of the Free Church of Scotland wrote in his diary on Tuesday 18 June 1849 “This morning early I had awakened and looked out. It was about four o’clock. The morning star was shining directly before our window in a bright sky. One part of the window was misty with frost; the other part clear, and through the clear part the star shone most beautifully. I thought of Christ’s words, ‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star’ (Rev 22:16). Christ is all this to me in this world till the day break. I fell asleep, and when I next awoke the sun was shining through my room. Shall it not be thus at the Resurrection?”
The identification of Jesus as the ‘bright Morning Star’ points us to his return, which he promises repeatedly in the final chapter of Revelation: “Look, I am coming soon!” The one who brought life from death, who turned the darkness of the tomb into resurrection morning, is coming. Nothing is more certain than this.
Light of the world, keep me on the path that is guided by You, the morning star, so that I do not lose my way. In all humility and gratitude, I follow You, knowing that every step I have taken to get me where I am today was only taken because You lit the way. Praying this in Your name. Amen.
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