Glimpses of Jesus
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:18-21)
Our Universe was built to be a window into another realm. Most men spend their entire lives seeing only the surface of things. They stare at the window, but never through it.
Only those who stare through the window—who see the brush strokes of the artist in the landscape; who hear the original conductor behind all beautiful melodies; who sense the intervening provision in ordinary circumstances—are fit to be called “worshipers”. All other worship is merely pretense and religion. The “music” may sound lovely, the words may be sincere, the emotions may be roused, but the soul is untouched and the heart is unmoved. It’s Cain’s offering of duty and conscience not Abel’s offering of heaven-piercing faith. The one sees Him who is invisible and reaches through the limits of space and time into heaven to see and find and know Him for themselves. The other knows about God in his “mind” and seeks to do right “things” for Him.
If you are never filled with unexplainable awe, if your heart never skips a beat, if the hair never raises on the back of your neck, if you’re never inspired to love or to dare or to risk...in bizarre ways and times and places, then you’ve not seen the one whose image is stamped indelibly on our Universe and whose image, though tainted, continues to emerge forth—even among the fallen sons of Adam.
This then, is a different sort of look at Him who fills everything in every way. This is a look at Jesus and a call to open our eyes and see Him. The attributes of His nature are built into the structural code of our universe. He is a Warrior, a King, a Poet, a Prophet, a Brother, an Artist, a Groom to be, and a Best Friend.
Though all of His roles have been twisted and counterfeited by the enemy (this is the enemy’s primary way of keeping the masses from falling madly in love with Him, and inspiring them to storm the castle and expel the usurper ), His irresistible nature shines through for those who have eyes to see and hearts full of ignitable tinder...
Because He is a Warrior...
Your heart leaps when courage confronts injustice face to face
Your pulse races in the hunt
Your anger burns fiercely against oppression
The drums of war call you—summoning you to arms
You are filled with elation when evil is defeated, when mercy triumphs, and when hatred is deposed
You find inspiration in simple contests, when athletes compete and give their all
You unconsciously cheer for the underdog
Because He is an Artist...
The simple beauty of a fiery sunset or a flowery meadow charms your soul
Mountains compel you to climb, overwhelming you with their towering grandeur
The snowy night calls to you, inviting you to join in winters games;
to sled, to throw snowballs, to take a sleigh ride
The crisp air of winter invigorates you
The leaves of autumn take your breath away, a brilliant reminder of the coming change
The ocean’s pulse awakens you calling you to distant horizons
Migrating geese fill the bright blue sky, begging you to follow to lands unknown
A mighty waterfall staggers you, a torrent of power and fury
The fresh morning scent of the forest renews you, reminding you of places
you’ve never been before
Because He is a Carpenter...
A hard days work brings a strange but deep satisfaction to your soul
Fine craftsmanship is its own reward and is pleasing to behold
Men are unknowingly drawn to build and to create
Sweat feels good and proper and right
An honest days work deserves a fitting wage
Because He is engaged...
Mighty men put down their swords and stoop to picking flowers
Maidens hearts flutter and are melted
Love poems are written, car doors are opened, and kind words are spoken
Hearts are carved in trees and sidewalks
Fine linen dresses are made
Dancing was invented
The ark was loaded two by two
Adam felt alone
A wedding is the climax of history
Because He is a King...
White horses were born, purple robes were fashioned and majestic thrones were assembled
Trumpets blare and sound so regal
Red carpet, curtseys, & bowing stir our dormant nobility
Men remove their hats as gestures of respect
And children’s eyes dance at stories of Kings and Queens and castles
While the words “Your Majesty” whisper to us of a world yet to come
Because He is a Best Friend...
Everybody wants one
Weddings have a “best man” and Maids of Honor
Brotherhood is revered and Sisterhood is cherished
Loyalty sustains the heart and is fiercely guarded
Confidants are coveted
Men feel compelled to become “blood brothers”
Because He is a Judge...
Skeletons love closets & the treacherous crave darkness
Blame is so prone to shifting
Guilt exists
And hardened pagans pray in airplane turbulence
Because He is a Father...
Holding newborns makes time standstill
Playing catch came into existence
Laps were made to practice sitting on
Because He is a Poet & Musician...
Demonic men are calmed when harps are played
Melodies ring in our minds for years holding the strongest place in our memories
evoking dormant emotions and bringing a tear to our eye
Our hearts are stirred by noble verse and feet tap unconsciously to the beat
Because He is a Scientist
Wonder Exists and nature is filled with fascinating discoveries
We are intrigued by the tiniest atom and the most distant reaches of the Universe
The activities of ants and bees speak to our souls of order and industry
Children ask “why” questions
E=MC2
Because He is a Redeemer...
Forgiveness exists in our universe
Seventy times seven isn’t a math problem
And mountains of guilt can disappear—chasing the east to the west
Men and women are inexplicably moved to forfeit their lives for loved ones and strangers
And “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” hold a sacred place in every culture
And best of all, Your sins can be forgiven
10/31/1998
