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How Do We See Jesus

This year should be a year of great vision.  Actually, every year should be. But with this year being 2020 we should all be desiring 20/20 vision.  Therefore, let’s consider how we see Jesus. [don’t miss the fun video below  — one minute and you will literally SEE Jesus).

We certainly don’t literally see Jesus, as those who lived during His earthly ministry did.  But the Bible does talk about our seeing Him. Paul wrote that “we see Jesus” (Heb 2:9), so this raises the question, how do we see Jesus. Paul gave us the answer to that question.  He wrote to the church at Ephesus that we have eyes of understanding…  

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

So let’s pause and consider further “the eyes of our understanding and how we see Jesus.  

Believing is Seeing

Jesus tells us that by believing we see Him:

John 11:40  Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”

God was manifested in the flesh in the Person of Jesus, so the woman He was speaking to could actually see Him.  So Jesus is speaking not of a literal, physical sight, but of a spiritual sight.  And because Jesus is the “brightness of His [God’s] glory and the express image of His person” (Heb 1:3), we are able to see Him when we believe, that is, when we have faith.  I have written much about what faith is (Read: What is Faith? How do I get it? How do I grow it? Is Faith to Believe a Gift from God? Given to Some But Not All?  What Does It Mean To WALK BY FAITH?)  Understanding true faith helps in understanding how we see Jesus.

Defining Faith

The reformers were likely the first to define faith as beginning with knowledge (using the eyes of our understanding, about which Paul wrote).  And that knowledge, we know, comes from the revelation of Jesus in the Word of God.

Rom 10:17  …faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We must make a conscious choice to read and study the Bible to know who Jesus is and what He has done. Then there’s a choice to believe or reject that which one has read.  While knowledge should always lead to believing God because God’s Word is true and trustworthy, true faith comes only when we receive, believe, and trust in the Word of God.  Trust is an exercised belief.  One can believe in something and yet not trust.  

For example, everyone knows that parachutes save lives. We also believe that they will open and glide someone to a safe landing if a plane is going to crash.  However, if someone puts on a parachute but doesn’t trust it enough to jump out of the plane, the person will crash with the plane.  They didn’t trust the parachute to do what they knew and believed it was capable of doing. Or they didn’t believe they needed it.

Trust is a choice and, in spiritual terms, it is turning from self-dependency and depending on God.  Only by knowing, believing, and trusting is one is able to surrender to God, confess one’s sins, and ask for forgiveness.  That’s true saving faith (Eph 1:13) and true sanctifying faith (Prov 3:5-6).

True Faith Produces Seeing

So it’s not simply about believing.  Even the demons believe (James 2:19).  While it’s okay to use the word believing (“believing is seeing”), we must understand it means a true faith (knowledge, belief, and trust). Only true faith leads to the grace of God being poured out and a sinner being regenerated to new life in Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit.  

20/20 Vision in 2020

This year, let’s seek after a clearer vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we might see Him more clearly, follow Him more nearly, and love Him more dearly. 

Peter wrote, “whom having not seen you love” (1 Pet 1:8). And it’s true, we haven’t seen Jesus with our physical eyes. But all who belong to Him do see Him (Heb 2:9), for we see with spiritual “eyes” (the eyes of understanding, Eph 1:18).  Therefore, make this a year of commitment to Bible reading.  Open the Scriptures, read for knowledge, believe God, and trust completely in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Keep looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2).

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Heb 2:8-9 …But now we do not yet see all things put under him.  But we see Jesus…

Pause to See Jesus

See the little baby in a manger so long, long ago; the Blessed Saviour, Christ the King; the Ministering Servant of God for men; and the Son of Man, and the Son of God. We have seen our Salvation and we have received His light and life. Pause and stand in awe and see Jesus.

About Focusing Your Eyes on Jesus

Eph 1:18  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

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***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***  

Hidden in the six verses of Psalm 23 are 11 names for Jesus.  When you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll send you The Names of God in Psalm 23 PDF that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email).

 Hear, See, Speak No Evil -- A Practical Guide for Guarding the Mind --  This book will cause you to think before you speak, to close your eyes to that which you should not behold, and to stop listening to the lies of the world and the evil one.  Learn to guard your gates and process everything according to God’s perfect will and by His Word. The three little monkeys, Hear, See, and Speak No Evil, can teach us a lot. And there’s a fourth monkey that can help stop the spread of ungodly thinking and living in our world.

The Top Ten Got Questions? in 2023 

  1. The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
  2. Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
  3. How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM in Psalm 22?
  4. How are the Shepherd’s ROD and STAFF Different?
  5. How long did JOB SUFFER?
  6. What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings?
  7. Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
  8. Jesus’ Last Days TIMELINE: the Cross and the Resurrection
  9. The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
  10. Did Jesus Fight Satan to Take Back the KEYS of Death and Hell?

There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith.  Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory.  Their words equip and encourage us even to this day.  Take a few minutes to hear...

  1. ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
  2. “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
  3. Prayers from Billy Graham
  4. Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”
  5. “Immanuel” — A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
  6. Who Am I? A Poem by Deitrich Bonhoeffer (1905-1945)
  7. Understanding the Everlasting Arms of God, by J.R. Miller (1840–1912)
  8. 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (1907-1979)
  9. Give Me Perpetual Broken-heartedness (from The Valley of Vision)
  10. Abide with Me, by James Smith, 1859

This remains one of our most popular pages viewed.

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TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus
  1. Memorial Day BAGPIPES TRIBUTE: Amazing Grace 
  2. RISE AND SHINE and Give God the Glory, Glory!
  3. WERE YOU THERE When They Crucified My Lord?
  4. PAUL HARVEY: THE BIRDCAGE
  5. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: A SOLDIER'S PLEDGE
  6. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas
  7. JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
  8. Jimmy Stewart - Nativity Scene Prayer: Mr. Krueger's Christmas
  9. THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE - A Christmas Story to Share 
  10. Not by Might, Not by Power, But BY MY SPIRIT says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6)

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