Seeing Jesus - Part 1

On the day of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, many people surrounded Jesus. Most were Jews who celebrated His coming; some were true followers, while others merely hoped to see miracles and desired His overthrow of the government. There was also a group of Greeks who approached one of the apostles with a request: "Sir, we wish to see Jesus" (John 12:21).

It seems that these Greeks were genuine searchers who respected Jesus. They had come to Jerusalem in the spirit of worship and believed Jesus was important in that context. They were right. Seeing Jesus and coming to know Him are critical for the believer.

The writer of Hebrews repeatedly echoes this idea of seeing Jesus as important for a Christian's faith. “But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels” (2:9). “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession” (3:1). Moses showed his faith when “he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen” (11:27). Believers are challenged to endure, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (12:2). Finally, Christians are challenged, “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself” (13:3).

What is it about looking at Jesus that is so important for the believer? Hebrews 12:2 gives insight. Jesus is the author of the believer's faith. He is the one who designed and started it. He is also the finisher of faith. He completed and fulfilled it by living it out in a human body. When a believer looks at Jesus, therefore, he is able to see what he should be and how he should live.

The Bible, which in every way points to Jesus, has amazing power. Not only does it reveal how a believer should live, but it initiates an active, transformative influence on his life. "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit" (II Corinthians 3:18).

The phrase "from glory to glory" is interesting. Some have interpreted this as a time frame - that is, from the glory of salvation to the glory of glorification - meaning that God does His work from the time someone is saved until the time he reaches heaven. While this is true, this particular phrase appears to have a different meaning. The Greek word translated "glory" refers to something that is apparent or seen; it deals with reputation, dignity, and something worthy of praise. It seems more accurate that the phrase refers to various aspects of godly character; God produces one after another Christian attribute as the believer looks into His Word and beholds the "glory" (same word) of the Lord. When Christians see what Jesus looks like, they are changed to look like Him.

The list of desirable attributes could be arranged in many ways; a good list is found in Galatians 5:22-23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." These are the traits that God wants to produce in His children. They are traits that Jesus possessed and therefore traits that Christians can learn by observing Jesus.

Christian growth is definitely an on-going process. Paul spoke of physical maturity; he was different as a man than he was as a child. He used to speak, think, and act childishly, but he learned to speak, think, and act like an adult. Paul made the comparison that spiritually he was also maturing; his understanding of  "adult" Christianity was imperfect and would continue to grow. "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (I Corinthians 13:12).

Paul realized that full knowledge would not come until heaven, when he would finally be able to see Jesus clearly. John taught the same truth. "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is" (I John 3:2). Some day in heaven believers will finally be what they ought to be, because they will finally see their Savior in complete accuracy and uninhibited clarity. Until that day Christians can have a very good, but nevertheless imperfect, understanding of what they ought to be.

That imperfect understanding can increase, however, even on this earth. God wants Christians to grow in their knowledge of Jesus. "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). The more a believer knows of Jesus, the more he can grow. The more clearly and frequently a believer sees Jesus, the more potential he has to be transformed in this life, and the only way to see Jesus is through the pages of the Bible. (I do not mean to imply that a Christian can produce maturity, which is the work of God; rather, God can produce more maturity in a believer who understands more of what God wants and can more effectively do His transforming work in the life of one who exposes himself frequently to the powerful Word of God.)

There is a Christmas hymn written by J. Edgar Park. The words of the concluding stanza express the desire to see and follow the Savior, being and doing what He desires.

"We would see Jesus, in the early morning,

Still as of old He calleth, "Follow me!"
Let us arise, all meaner service scorning;
Lord, we are thine, we give ourselves to thee.