Focus: Different Sights

Text: Jer.1:11

"What seest thou?"

Let's look at different sights in Scripture, at least four of them.

*First, God looks to see

In psalm 53:2 we read, "God LOOKED DOWN from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God." That's the first sight. God is looking down to see who among the children of men has understanding and committed to seeking God. God-seekers are scarce in this world, and He delights in those who sincerely and earnestly seek Him. When God became flesh and dwelt among men, Mark tells us that He saw one rich and young ruler, and "beholding him he loved him" (Mk.10:21). 

When Christ takes a look at you, all He feels for you is love - unconditional love and infinite affection. Look into God's eyes, and all you will see is deep affection for you.

Every time He sees you, love wells up from within Him, and it is love for you that made Him come to earth and gave His life on the cross to save you. Love is God's heartbeat, and He is always looking for who seeks and loves Him.

*Second, man looks to see

In Luke 23:48 we read, "And all the people that came together to that sight, BEHOLDING the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned." This is man taking a look at what was done to Christ. They saw everything - the excruciating pain, the soul anguish, the blood gushing from His body, the hate, the cruelty, the injustice, the ignorance. The cross laid bare the wickedness of the human heart on one hand, and the sacrificial love of God for man on the other hand. Some Greeks came looking for Jesus Christ, and when they met Philip, they said, "Sir, we would see Jesus." Let every man desire and seek to see Jesus, for it is in seeing Him that we are supernaturally changed!

*Third, the believer looks to see

The author of Hebrews writes, "But we SEE JESUS, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Heb.2:9). O yes! As believers we see Jesus, having been made a little lower than Elohim, has finally been elevated and given a position of power and honor. We see Him as having tasted death for every man. We see Him in His full regalia as the conqueror of death, evil, and all the forces of darkness. We see Him as our Savior and King.

As the disciples watched their Master Jesus ascend into heaven, the angel of the Lord said to them, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye GAZING UP into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have SEEN him go into heaven" (Act.1:11). 

Let's look up and encounter the ascended Christ in His exalted glory. From there He is coming back for us. Yes, He is coming!

*Fourth, every man looks to see

John writes, "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and EVERY EYE shall SEE him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen" (Rev.1:7). The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again, and when He comes all eyes will see Him. His coming will not happen in a corner. His coming will be a global phenomenon; it will be in the news all over the world. As a matter of fact, no one will need to be told, for every one shall see Him for Himself. Then those who pierced Him, and indeed all of humanity will weep bitterly for themselves for the role they played in His death. They will feel so sorry for Him. They will regret their actions and cry out to Him for forgiveness.

Look at yourself in the light of these four different sights and let God touch your heart and mind, and let your mind, heart and life align with the word and will of God. I pray you see what God sees and go in his direction. Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter