In the Gospel of John, the author emphasized the deity of
Christ, where Jesus existed before the creation of the world and took part in
that creation. He wanted us to see the Jesus who maintained the full authority
of God, and knew what would happen before it happened.
I think about how Jesus walked this earth as a human and at
the same time was fully conscious of the entire cosmos. Could he hear angels
singing while eating dinner with the disciples? When he traveled across the Sea
of Galilee, could he also see the Crystal Sea of heaven? When he walked into a
house, could he see heaven’s mansions at the same time?
When he looked to the heavens, did he see all the stars and
galaxies and planets that are not visible to the human eye? When he worked with
wood, could he see even the sub-atomic particles in its structure?
And what was it like to one with the Father? “I in thee, and thee in me.”(John 17:21).To
know God’s thoughts and for God to know his? To share feelings and enjoy each
Other’s presence?
Did he have a difficult time managing the limitations of a
physical body while being aware of all of heaven? What was it like to know the
fullness of heaven and at the same time endure the emptiness of hunger? Was it
harder or easier to be aware of heaven when he was tired and hurting?
The reason I wonder these things is that this heavenly
awareness is accessible to all of us, through the Holy Spirit. He “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with
every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3).
As I work and pray, how aware am I of the larger spiritual
world around me, where the eternal qualities of love, joy, and hope supersede
the impotent qualities of greed, rage, and power? And how would that change my behavior?
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the glorious Father, may give you
the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Eph 1:17).
I have given this post a lot of thought since I first read it, and have returned to re-read it a number of times.
ReplyDeleteI have imagined how it would be if we could put on special glasses and see the world as Jesus did when he walked among us.....in my imagination, at least, it would have the power to transform the world.
But....would everyone look? If we knew it would wash away the urge to amass wealth and power - would we still look? If we knew that our priorities would be forever changed?
I wonder if that is how little babies see the world, and it fades as they grow?
Loved this post, Pastor. It really made me think. :)
Debbie
Debbie, it's a perceptive question. It makes me think of his argument with the pharisees in John 9. He had just healed a blind man, but the real blindness was in the people who refused to see.
ReplyDeleteI think those of us who want to see more, can and will. "Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened." Also, "he is a rewarder for those who earnestly seek him."
I keep thinking it's supposed to be simple, and maybe it really is. Maybe the difficulty is in letting go of all the things that clutter our minds and hearts.
What an incredible perspective to seek....we always ask ourselves "what would Jesus do?" "How would Jesus respond?".....Now I will ask myself, "What does Jesus see?" Thank you. So glad to have found you again after all these years.
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