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.

Ezra

Imagine a country suffering greatly during a long siege. The people are then completely defeated, with many being killed and the rest exiled to a faraway land. All the national treasures are confiscated; even the most beloved landmarks are burned. The buildings and once-protective walls are completely ruined. The country has apparently been brought to an ignoble and permanent end.

Seventy years pass. Only those who were young children at the time of the defeat have ever seen their homeland. Suddenly, the king issues a proclamation to restore exiles to their country, specifically to rebuild the most important building of the nation's destroyed capital. "Whoever there is among you of all His people, . . . let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the LORD" (Ezra 1:3).

What happened to Ezra and his fellow Jews is a powerful illustration of the principle "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalm 127:1). The task before Ezra was enormous. It would face opposition and discouragement. It would demand many resources, incredible expertise, and much wisdom. How were Ezra and his co-laborers to rebuild something none of them had ever seen?

The answer is found in words repeated seven times in the book of Ezra: "the good hand of his God was upon him" (Ezra 7:9; variations in 5:5, 7:6, 7:28, 8:18, 8:22, 8:31). God's hand of blessing, found throughout Ezra's story, is somewhat unexpected from a human perspective. God had destroyed this nation because of its wickedness. He had brought the destruction and ordained that they go into captivity. With God's judgment so deliberate, how could these people come once again under His favor?

At the dedication of the very temple that Ezra was to rebuild, Solomon had prayed, "When they sin against You . . . and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to a land far off or near, if they take thought in the land where they are taken captive, and repent and make supplications to You, . . . then hear from heaven . . . and maintain their cause and forgive Your people" (II Chronicles 6:36-39). God approved this prayer and affirmed His intention of answering it.

The time had come for God to restore His chastised and repentant people, something they could never have initiated on their own. They were helpless, without resources or expertise, yet God brought the impossible task to a successful conclusion. He clearly placed His good hand of blessing on His people by providing everything they needed.

First, God provided the very opportunity. "The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation" seeking willing workers for the project (Ezra 1:1). It is illogical that a king would care about the heritage or worship of his foreign servants. Why, after all these years, would he care about a destroyed building in a defeated land far away? Cyrus was moved to make the proclamation only because God's good hand directed him.

Second, God provided the resources. By Cyrus's command, the neighbors of the exiles "encouraged them with articles of silver, with gold, with goods, with cattle and with valuables, aside from all that was [previously] given as a freewill offering" (1:6). Additionally, "Cyrus brought out the articles of the house of the LORD" (1:7); 5,400 valuable utensils did not need to be crafted, because the originals were restored to the returning exiles. The people also returned with over 8,000 beasts of burden.

Third, God provided the personnel. 42,360 people returned to do the work, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants, who would serve in the restored temple. An additional 7,337 servants accompanied the exiles.

Fourth, God blessed the actual progress. In spite of their fear, the returning exiles set up the altar (3:3). They procured cedar wood needed for building (3:7) and laid the foundation (3:10).

Fifth, God provided relief from opposition. Adversaries "discouraged the people of Judah, and frightened them from building" (4:4). They sent letters to the new king, maligning the exiles and resulting in "a decree to make these men stop work" (4:21). After an eventual delay of eighteen years, a new king searched the archives for the original proclamation. He not only ordered the opponents to "leave this work on the house of God alone" (6:7), but he also commanded that the opponents be responsible for "the full cost" and supply "whatever is needed" (6:8-9). Furthermore, anyone who disobeyed was to "be impaled . . . and his house shall be made a refuse heap" (6:11).

Sixth, God brought about a successful completion. The remainder of the work was "carried out with all diligence" (6:12), and the "temple was completed" (6:15). Ezra's subsequent requests from the king were granted, additional funds were collected, and unlimited numbers of additional exiles were allowed to return. The royal treasury was placed at Ezra's disposal, the opposition was further restrained and commanded to supply resources; biblical instruction was authorized.

The first striking conclusion from Ezra's story is that God does not abandon His people. In spite of their wickedness and deserved judgment, God's heart was still open to these people. When the exiles laid the foundation of the temple, they praised God, saying, "He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever" (3:11). When the temple was completed, they acknowledged, "God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us" (9:9).

The second conclusion is that God can prosper even the most unlikely endeavor. God provided abundantly through each challenge; kings issued all-encompassing edicts, using words like "whoever," "full cost," "any man," "all diligence," "all he requested," "whatever seems good to you," and "whatever is commanded." There were no half-measures, and the key to the success was that "the hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him" (8:22). When God's good hand is at work, there is no stopping it.

Why Church Matters

Many people follow their acknowledgement of Christian belief with the admission that they never go to church. Then they are quick to follow up with an excuse or defense. Excuses include busy lives, uninterested family, and past hurtful behavior. They defend themselves as believing in God, being sure of salvation, or praying often.

Some of these people are almost surely saved, but have had little Biblical teaching. I suspect many don't know enough about God to understand salvation. The Bible is clear that church matters.

First, the Bible commands faithfulness to church. "Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25).

Second, the structure of the New Testament centers on the church. The epistles were written to churches in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and Thessalonica. Hebrews, James, and the epistles of Peter were written to scattered believers who were establishing new churches. Timothy and Titus are written to pastors. Revelation is addressed to seven churches.

Third, the content of the New Testament supports the importance of the church. The book of Acts is consumed with the establishment, growth, and outreach of local churches. The epistles give instruction about how to resolve problems in the church, how to set up leadership in the church, and how to work together in the church. They additionally reveal the purpose and expected actions of the churches.

The fourth consideration stems from the third: many things that Christians are supposed to do are made possible through the church. Granted, some of these could be done by individuals, but they are intended to be done through the church and are more effective through the church.

Praising God. Believers serve God in the church for this purpose: "So that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (I Peter 4:11). "I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng" (Psalm 35:18).

Serving God. God gives Christians gifts and abilities designed to be utilized in the church. "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality" (Romans 12:6-8).

Giving. "On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper" (I Corinthians 16:2).

Praying. "So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God" (Acts 12:5). "Devoted to prayer" (Romans 12:12).

Observing the ordinances. "So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added [to the church] about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (I Corinthians 11:26).

Interacting with other Christians. "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another" (I Thessalonians 5:11). Any effort is easier when others come alongside. The epistles are filled with actions that church members are to do for one another: be devoted, give preference, be of the same mind, love, build up, accept, admonish, greet, wait for, have care for, serve, bear burdens, show tolerance, be kind and tenderhearted, forgive, be subject, bear with, teach, comfort, stimulate to love and good deeds, confess sins, pray for, be hospitable, show humility toward, and fellowship with. Believers certainly cannot do these things effectively without being together with other believers.

Maturing. God established roles within the church for the purpose of aiding in Christian growth. "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Receiving truth. The church is the venue through which God's Word is taught. "Preach the word; . . . reprove, rebuke, exhort" (II Timothy 4:2). "They met with the church and taught" (Acts 11:26).

Being protected: The Hebrews 10:25 command concludes a sentence that begins, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering" (10:23). Jude and Galatians were written specifically to guard the churches against false doctrine. Alone, it is easy to be deceived; the church is the place to be adjusted and returned to the truth.

Meeting needs. "Contributing to the needs of the saints" (Romans 12:13). The early church set an amazing example (Acts 2:45; 4:34-35; 6:3-6).

Spreading the gospel. This is the essence of the book of Acts. "When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, 'Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life'" (Acts 11:18).

Responding to the pastor. "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls" (Hebrews 13:17). "Appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work" (I Thessalonians 5:12-13).

The New Testament overflows with support for being part of a local church. God describes the church as the body of Christ, united and interdependent; He also describes it as a family, where spiritual brothers and sisters can surpass the role of biological family. To those who attend church already, I encourage continued faithfulness and challenge an appreciation for the value of what happens through the church.

To those who don't attend regularly, I urge a commitment to this important aspect of Christianity. Find a church where the Bible is routinely opened, carefully explained, and accurately taught. Then, rather than deciding on a week-to-week basis, make the decision once - to attend church whenever the doors are open. Such a decision will be life-changing.

Make Me a Blessing

As I contemplate the new year, my thoughts have turned to a hymn by Ira Wilson, "Make Me a Blessing" (or "Out in the Highways and Byways of Life"). The first and third stanzas read as follows:

Out in the highways and byways of life,

Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Give as 'twas given to you in your need,

Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true.

The hymn refers to a believer's ministry to the unsaved. The needs of unbelievers are deep; lost people are indeed "weary and sad," "sorrowing," and "helpless." They need the sunshine, the love, and the help that Christians can provide by sharing the gospel message.

While this focus on unbelievers is the primary intent, the expressed aspiration of being a blessing certainly is appropriate also when fellow believers are considered. Their level of hopelessness is by no means as profound, but at times even Christians struggle with the burdens of life and are in need of encouragement and help. The chorus makes no distinction as to recipient.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,

Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

These words make a wonderful prayer and focus for the believer. In reality, a day in which a Christian has no positive impact on anyone else is a sad day indeed. Those who do not have regular interaction with others should not be discouraged by this statement. Even an isolated person can be a blessing through the testimony of his life, through his written words, and especially through prayer. The fact that the impact is not observed does not negate its reality.

Stay-at-home moms could easily sense that they have little opportunity to be a blessing to others. This thought is a colossal error. As they shape little lives on a constant basis, these dear mothers have the potential for the greatest possible impact. So many children are leaving the Christian faith, and mothers have perhaps the most influential position from which to make a difference, thereby impacting a much broader sphere.

Whether at home, at work, at church, or elsewhere, every believer has both the ability and the opportunity to be a blessing to others. The desire to have such an impact is aptly expressed by the hymn writer in the words "out of my life may Jesus shine." That is the key. In himself, no believer has the capacity to make a much of a difference, but when the love and care of Jesus shine through him, he can be a true blessing and can have genuine impact.

Today, this week, and this year, may others see Christ reflected in me. May they see "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). May I look more like my Savior so that others can be drawn to Him or can be encouraged to become more like Him.

The only way that I can look like Jesus is by being changed through the power of His Word. "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).

In the Bible, I see His glory, His majesty, His brightness, and His perfection; God works to produce a measure of those same qualities in me. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life" (John 8:12). The influence that I have then is merely God's light shining through me. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

This is God's mission for me, and I desire to perform it faithfully and effectively. Oh, to be able to hear His words of commendation, "Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). Father, may I make a difference for You.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,

Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.