Seeing "THE WORD, JESUS"

Aug 7^th  - Seeking Jesus -Enter into HIS presence with praise

“So Will I”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfVd5x9W1Xc

Scripture Reading

[John 1:1-5, 14, 18 NASB] 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not put it out or overcome the light. ... 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. ... 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained [Him.]

Meditation

John the Apostle is 100% convinced that Jesus of Nazareth is THE WORD.    Jesus is 100% human even though HE is 100% God.   This is an astounding conviction for a man born and raised an orthodox Jew. 

THE CREATOR HAS BECOME PART OF HIS CREATION!  Wow!

There are many ways for us to think about and view “THE WORD JESUS”.  One way is for us to think of HIM as the Eternal Maker of all things. 

We should note that those that teach that “THE WORD JESUS” was “a god” and was a created being, do not agree with the Apostle John understanding of Jesus, for here we read that NOTHING was created except through HIM and that in the beginning HE already existed (Genesis 1:1).  So the  Apostle is fully convinced that Jesus of Nazareth is God come in human flesh. 

God’s “glory” is a manifestation of who the infinite, eternal, and all powerful Creator is in HIS character, competence, and compassion.  “THE WORD JESUS’ is the ultimate and most intimate revelation of the DIVINE GLORY!  To see HIM is to see the infinite and eternal in time and space.  It is to see the wonder of perfection in the flesh.  “THE WORD JESUS’ explains who the invisible, eternal, infinite MAKER of heaven and earth is fully!

Darkness has come into the creation.   The life of “THE WORD JESUS’ has been given to the world and the darkness of death due to rebellion against HIM has entered into the world but cannot defeat HIS plan to bring life and light to all that has been made.  Darkness has no power or hope of winning against the Light.

“THE WORD JESUS” is far greater than the evil that exists in the world.  

Because of this, when I want to understand who “THE WORD JESUS” is, I can turn to look at creation, even as I would look at the works of an artist to understand the artist.

[Romans 1:20 NASB] 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

In nature, we can see the wonderful logic of Jesus the Creator, if we look at all that is made through the lens of science.  The mathematical complexity and precision of every atom should humble us and put us in awe at who HE is and what HE has made.

Yet, this is like looking at the Mona Lisa with a microscope.  There is some value in it but we also lose the bigger picture.  My sister took me to see a roaring and stunning  waterfall in Franklin North Carolina while I was on vacation where the water had cut a space behind the fall where you could stand.   As I saw it I became delighted by its power and beauty.

Cullasaja Falls, North Carolina

At that moment seeing the water fall, if I remember that this was made by “THE WORD JESUS” then I gain insight into HIM from what HE has made.  I am awed at HIM; more than even the water fall HE has made.  I see HIM as an artist and beautiful as well as wise. 

I fear that in our digital world that all so often my universe is limited to little screens within which I live my life.   There is not a lot of “blue sky time” where we look at the wonder of the created world.   I fear that as I lose touch with the creation, I can also lose touch with the Creator; “THE WORD JESUS’. 

Creator Jesus rules!  The evil of this world will not defeat HIM or HIS purpose.  Even here “East of Eden” we can see HIS light and life.  When the darkness seems ready to overcome me,  it is good to look out the window, take a walk in the woods, or look up at the sky and recognize “THE WORD JESUS’ is greater than all that seeks to destroy me. 

How do I know He cares?

HE left eternity to come to get me back!

[John 1:12-13 NASB] 12 But as many as received “THE WORD JESUS”, to them “THE WORD JESUS”  gave the right to become children of God, [even] to those who believe in HIS name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

PRAYER

Great “WORD JESUS’ help me see YOU today in all that YOU have made.  Help me trust in YOUR authority, compassion, mercy, and desire to give me LIFE.   Help me not have more fear of the darkness then I have faith in YOU.  Increase my faith.  Help me trust YOU in the dark times.  Amen

How can I love someone that I cannot see?

How can I love someone that I cannot see?

8 You love Messiah Jesus even though you have never seen HIM. Though you do not see HIM now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

[1Pe 1:8 NLT edited]

I was talking to a friend and asked a question of “How one could come to love Jesus more”?  He stated it very simply; “I don’t see how it would be possible to love someone you cannot see. How can you love someone who is able to be known only as a historical figure. “

I could see his point of view. Especially, in a time when we don’t have admiration for historical heroes who may have had great characters, great words, or great deeds. We mainly seek to find the faults of significant historical figures and normally feel morally and intellectually superior in our humble 21st century arrogance. So coming to admire, respect, and love someone from the historical record of their life would be hard.

Love is not an act of the will. Our will cannot create the emotion of love. Love, like faith, is created by the story we tell about someone. A great interpretation of a person creates a great love. Without a solid vision of a person it would be hard to love. The Holy Spirit has come to reveal the Lord Jesus to HIS people and create love for HIM in our hearts. (John 16:13; Romans 5:1-6)

People of this generation could imagine feeling emotions connected to a film about a historical figure. The film “Amazing Grace” could stir us to admire that William Wilberforce, more so than reading a book about him.  If the person is still living like Christina Noble, who was led by God to rescue orphans in Vietnam then the movie about her amazing life “Noble” can inspire us to feel admiration and even inspire us in our own lives. We can have “love” for her because of her story.

So as one of the modern civilizations that have moved from reading and hearing great stories about great people, our generation could perhaps best connect with a historical person through films about them. So films could replace what other civilizations had in the recounting of “hero sagas” about great people doing great things.

We may need to connect with Jesus through films that seek to be accurate in showing HIM accurately in HIS character, words, and deeds. Now all films will have problems and areas of inaccuracy most of the time so it is good to also be aware of the actual historical record of Jesus’ character, words, and deeds. Some films on Jesus are heretical and not based on any historical records. They are just fantasy.

The most watched film on Messiah Jesus is part of the “Jesus Project” and has been translated into 1600 languages. This film is just called “Jesus”. If you have not seen it you could look at it at this link.

https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch.html

Here is a link to five other films that can help us begin to respond to Jesus emotionally and begin to develop a bond of love with HIM.

https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/christian-movie-reviews/the-top-5-portrayals-of-jesus-in-film.html

So for our generation, through the translation of the gospel into film we can in an imaginary way “see” Jesus. Now we have to be careful to remember that the person in the film represents Jesus and is not Jesus.

Now, we can use our own imaginations as we read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John the actual historical and for Christians inspired accounts of the Messiah Jesus. So when you read about Jesus feeding 5,000 put yourself in mind as a person in the crowd who is seeing this event.  Think of yourself sitting, hungry, and hot with a noon sun pouring down upon you.  Then Jesus starts feeding everyone with just a few loaves and fish.  

Read the teachings of Jesus out loud slowly and with emotional reflection while imagining Messiah Jesus addressing great crowds that you are a part of and have come to listen to this amazing prophet. 

Try to hear HIS teaching like you are hearing it for the first time.

Ask the Holy Spirit who has come to reveal the Lord Jesus to let you see HIM more clearly. as you read the gospels or watch the films. The hope for a disciple of Messiah Jesus is that our love for HIM will grow.

Now our love for Jesus is also impacted by our evaluation of our desperate need of a Savior and the greatness of HIS suffering for us. Messiah Jesus, makes clear that only those who see themselves in great moral debt will feel great loving gratitude when that debt is paid (Luke 7:36-50). Self-righteous people rarely love Jesus very much. In fact, it was self-righteous people who crucified him.

So part of us even having interest in Jesus normally comes from an awareness of a real moral guilt in which our character, words, and deeds have fallen fall short of the standards of our conscience and God’s revealed will. Only when our own self-righteousness dies will we begin to seek hope in the Savior Jesus. 

Then we will hunger and thirst for righteousness when we see we are morally starved and bankrupt.

When the HERO Jesus sacrifices HIMSELF to save us, then our hearts will respond in love to that story.  

We must see Messiah as our HERO. 

One of the reasons why worship needs to be centered on the Jesus story and the gospel is only as we sing, pray, and look at Scripture, seeking to see Jesus can it help us fall in love with Jesus more and more.  It is in the context of worship with other disciples that the Holy Spirit has designed to be a place where we would see Jesus. 

Especially in the taking of the Lord’s Supper it is possible we may get a greater awareness of the presence and wonder of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 24:30,31)

Where else may we get a glimpse of the Lord Jesus?

We may find HIM when we look at all creation as HIS great work of art ( John 1:1-3)

We may find HIM in the reading of Moses and the prophets seeking to see the gospel of Messiah Jesus in all the stories and prophecies. Imagining these poetic images and applying them to Jesus as Messiah can build our awe of HIM (Isaiah 53).

We can see in the letters and writings of the Apostles a vision of the “Cosmic Christ” who was (before creation), who is ( Preset in this world), and who will be (Returning to restore Eden on steroids to HIS creation.

We may see HIM in the reflections of our brothers and sisters who have sought to see HIM and love him for 2,000 years. Some of the best and brightest believers have left record of their seeking to love Jesus more.

Here is an example:

“the invisible becoming visible, the incomprehensible being made comprehensible, the impassible becoming capable of suffering,” (Irenaeus)

This is a source to find more

The Church Fathers, The Complete Ante-Nicene & Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Collection: 3 Series, 37 Volumes, 65 Authors, 1,000 Books, 18,000 Chapters, 16 Million Words

We can also begin to always share our own testimony of what the Lord Jesus has done in our own lives. Hearing what the Lord Jesus has done in the lives of other believers can help to build our faith.   Paul, tells us that this is a critical way to help each other in our seeking Jesus.

11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you [while] among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.[Rom 1:11-12 NASB]

Ultimately, our love for Jesus will come by an encounter with the Living Christ. As we expose ourselves to the story of Christ Jesus, increasing our faith, and this producing love in our hearts, we also must “call on the name of the Lord Jesus” and have a spiritual encounter with the living Spirit of our resurrected and living LORD. This is a vital part of us having faith in Jesus and love for HIM. 

( This is a rational reason for having faith in Christ see :Existential Reasons for Belief in God: A Defense of Desires and Emotions for Faith by Clifford Williams)

Many times such experiences of the Living Christ will come in times of crisis or during intense worship. The Lord Messiah Jesus promised:

20 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. [Rev 3:20 NASB]

So to seek a spiritual meeting with the living Lord Jesus is a vital part of developing a relationship of love with HIM. The Holy Spirit has come to reveal Jesus to us.

The Messiah Jesus has promised

9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [Luke 11:9 NASB]

So can we love someone who cannot physically see? 

Yes, but it is a supernatural event. A work of God that is given by grace. We cannot earn it, but we can seek to fall in love with Jesus by seeing HIM more clearly, even if for now it will be in a mirror dimly.

One day however this problem will be solved.

1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and [such] we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 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. 3 And everyone who has this hope [fixed] on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.[1John 3:1-3 NASB]

So come quickly Christ Jesus that we may love YOU as YOU should be loved.