Seeing Jesus

Can you imagine anything more splendid than seeing Jesus? Can you imagine staring into the manger of Bethlehem? Can you imagine peeking into the empty tomb? Can you imagine staring into the clouds at the resurrected and ascending Jesus? Can you imagine? What would it be like to see Jesus?

In the Spring of 2006, Newill and Colleen Cerak of Gaylord, Michigan received the phone call that every parent dreads: Their 18 year old daughter Whitney had been killed in an automobile accident. The Cerak's grieved, and received comfort and peace from the truths of God's Word and grace: Whitney was with Jesus in heaven. But nothing could have prepared them, then, for the phone call they received some 5 weeks later. It was believed that there had been a mistaken identity at the accident site and that Whitney was not dead, but alive. Can you imagine? What would it be like to see your daughter after believing her dead? Colleen Cerak couldn't believe her eyes. After the making the excruciating 3 hour drive to the care facility where Whitney was recuperating, Colleen Cerak walked into her daughter's room to see her daughter face to face. "It was the most beautiful moment of my life." Perhaps in that moment Colleen could see Jesus.

I wonder if that is what Simeon experienced when seeing the infant Jesus? In Luke chapter 2 we read of Mary and Joseph taking their infant son Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to consecrate him to the Lord. This took place 40 days after Jesus' birth, according to the Laws of Moses. Simeon had lived his entire life waiting on the Lord -- waiting to see the consolation of Israel; waiting to see the promised Messiah. What would that be like to wait all of your life for something; to have nothing else on your heart or mind; can you imagine.

Psalm 130 says, "My soul waits on the Lord. More than watchman wait for the morning; more than watchman wait for the morning. My soul waits on the Lord."

Then, in one miraculous, beautiful moment Mary and Joseph enter the temple with their infant son and the Holy Spirit reveals to Simeon, "This is Jesus." What must Simeon felt in that moment? What must have been on his mind and heart? Do you suppose that in that moment nothing else mattered? Do you think in the purity of that moment Simeon no longer cared about the political and economic climate of Jerusalem; no longer cared about beggars and scoundrels; no longer cared about anything or anyone.

Simeon broke into sponateous song, "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace for my eyes have seen your salvattion which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." Simeon's life was complete. There was nothing else really to experience. With prophet Isaiah Simeon could say, "My soul delights greatly in the Lord...and He has adorned me in robes of righteousness and crowned my head with jewels."

From time to time our hearts can be broken. We can be disappointed by ummet expectations. People, who are people, are prone to fail us, just as we sometimes fail others. We can become overwhelmed with politics and the economy, our children's school, and even our church from time to time. When we look to long and hard at our disappointments we can become consumed.

It is good to have a different point of view. It can be good to see something new. When Colleen Cerak saw her daughter come back to life I imagine that there was nothing else on her heart or mind, and the same thing when Simeon saw the infant Jesus. When you see Jesus nothing else really matters.

Let's climb Mt. Zion together. Take a peek in the manger. Look up at the cross. Gaze into the empty tomb. Stare into the clouds and see the resurrected and ascended Jesus. How does everything in your life take on a gracious place in view of Jesus? Can you see yourself a little more at peace? A little less anxious? A little more forgiven -- and forgiving? Rope up with Jesus. Let Jesus take the lead for a while. Allow Jesus to carry the load. You are doing great. You really are. Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes your hurts are great. Sometimes we can worry and be overwhelmed for those we love. Take a breath. Quiet your heart. Look at Jesus again.

I love you very much. There is no one I would rather climb with than you. I am praying for you today. I am praying you see Jesus today.

Jeff on the mountains.