Meditation for Monday
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:21
A little boy had heard in Sunday School about the greatness of God. So he asked his mother if God is so great, is it possible to see Him. His mother didn’t think so, but suggested he ask the pastor of the church. No, the pastor told the little fellow, nobody can see God. Disappointed, the lad asked the same question of his Sunday School teacher. He received the same answer, nobody can see God. A few days later the boy was visiting an old fisherman when a rainstorm came up. As the clouds started to break, a rainbow appeared, bringing tears to the fisherman’s eyes. Touched, the boy asked the fisherman if he thought it was possible to see God. The fisherman hugged the boy and told him that he saw God every day since he was saved, because God was living inside him.
What would you tell somebody who asked you – like those Greeks asked Philip – if they could see Jesus? The old fisherman had it right, the only way for us to see Jesus is if Jesus is within. And where do we see Jesus? Like the old fisherman, we can see Him in the beauties of nature and the display of His power and majesty in His creation. We can also see Jesus in the beautiful lives of His people, those who display the love of Christ to those around them, those whose kindness and compassion reflect the heart of the Saviour. Best of all, we can see Him in His Word as we allow the Holy Spirit to unfold the riches of His grace in His kindness toward us.
Because the Lord Jesus is not living within the unsaved, they are unable to see Him. Because He is living within us, we should be able to see him. Our days should be spent in exploring the ways in which we can see Him, because there is no greater occupation than to be looking at Him. Like those Greeks who came to Philip, it should be our desire to see Jesus. It should be our purpose each day to look for Him in the saints around us, in His Holy Word, and in the hour of meditation and prayer. We will see Him if we it is our desire to do so.
While we wait for the shout that will call us Home to be with our Lord, let us appreciate that we can see Him now by the eye of faith. – Jim MacIntosh