I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.  On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:  king of kings and lord of lords.
Revelation 19:11-16 NIV

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I grew up in Chicago and attended Catholic school for 12 years. The nuns taught us many valuable lessons that shaped me into the person I am today. However, from the artwork surrounding me, I only saw one version of Jesus. In the paintings and sculptures, He was skinny, weak, and beaten. He was definitely portrayed as the “lamb,” the sacrifice for humanity. The Jesus I saw wasn’t just meek and mild—he appeared almost weak.

As an adult, I began attending Willow Creek and suddenly heard descriptions of Jesus as a carpenter who probably carried heavy stones and had strong, calloused hands. Informed by cultural context, preachers shared imaginative anecdotes that created a new perspective for me. I think about how Jesus went down to the docks to get His disciples from the hard-weathered men who battled the wind and waves. The story of His life on earth included standing up to the elite and powerful. Jesus was charismatic, drawing huge crowds. He had a bold voice that proclaimed controversial truths and reached out to the marginalized, unconcerned with what influential people thought. Jesus spoke into the storm,, and it stopped instantly. Jesus could be tough and edgy. Jesus was and still is  a strong leader. This Jesus is someone who can protect me and fight for me. This Jesus is someone to praise.

Today’s Scripture paints a picture of a majestic, confident ruler. This eternal King who laid down His life for me and you. His love and mercy are as powerful as His strength. It is important that we see Jesus accurately. Yes, He is meek and mild, but He is not weak. He is strong and mighty. When we better understand who God really is, we can worship and approach His throne with even greater confidence (Hebrews 4:6). 

Next Steps

Have you ever heard the song That’s My King (feat. Lloyd Nicks) | Bridge Worship? Take a listen and let the words soak in. If you’re adventurous, consider dancing around the kitchen singing at the top of your lungs. He is our King, and He is worthy.