by Marilyn Ehle
“Because you have seen me (Thomas), you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:19
“…it for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go I will send him to you.” John 16:7
“If I could just see Jesus…” I have friends who say they could be “better” Christians if they only led uncomplicated lives like those of first-century disciples and could see the physical body of Jesus. But I suspect that just having the physical presence of Jesus near us on a daily basis would produce no more discipline or faith or loyalty than it did for those early twelve followers. The natural bent toward selfishness, doubt, greediness and the misuse of power was just as strong in that first-century throng as it is in our 21st century lives. How often those who had left all to follow Jesus heard these soul searing questions: Do you still have no faith? Why are you so afraid? Don’t you understand yet?
What a blessed advantage we have today with the ever-present Spirit of God living within us. We need no longer stay in one geographical spot to see Jesus. God is no long confined to a human body. Not only do we have Him within us, but we are able to see and have fellowship with Him as He is incarnated in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. True, His image is marred by our humanity, but the extraordinary promise of “I will be with you to the end of the age” buoys our faith and moves us triumphantly toward the day when we will see Him face to face.
One hymn writer penned these words,
Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me…
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine! (Author: Clara Scott)
We can and will see Jesus. He asks only that we look and listen.
You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/11/06/me_if-i-could-just-see-jesus/
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