Getting a glimpse of Jesus is life-changing. We see that in the Bible and in human history.
This is so powerful and important that it has been recognised in several church movements and many people’s lives in the 2,000 years of church history.
Such notions as having a vision of the Cross and having a personal revelation of Christ have been part of such church movements as the Holiness Revival of the 1800’s. Such a revelation has at times even been referred to as the second blessing and sanctification.
The Bible Tells Us
Listen to what the Apostle John says about seeing Jesus and being made like Him as a result.
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we will be: but we know that, when he appears, we will be like him; for we will see him as he is.” 1John 3:2
Getting a glimpse of Jesus will transform us. It’s the most powerful shortcut to transformation.
The danger for humans is that God’s holiness is so awesome compared to our sinfulness that we cannot see God and remain alive.
“But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appears? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap” Malachi 3:2
“And he said, You cannot see my face: for no man will see me, and live.” Exodus 33:20
Bible Examples
When Job saw God he was tormented by his own worthlessness.
“I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye sees you. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5,6
The same thing happened when the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord.
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” Isaiah 6:1
“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5
And Peter had the same experience when he met Jesus.
“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Luke 5:8
Samuel Logan Brengle Looked at Jesus
I was struck by the words of Samuel Brengle who attests in his experience that seeing Jesus transformed him, similarly to what we see in the Bible accounts. I did a Church History post on Brengle for Jan 9, 2009. You will find that post at: http://chrisfieldblog.com/ministry/church-history/samuel-logan-brengle
Note this amazing summary of the impact of a vision of Jesus in a person’s life.
“I saw the humility of Jesus and my pride;
the meekness of Jesus and my temper;
the lowliness of Jesus and my ambition;
the purity of Jesus and my unclean heart;
the faithfulness of Jesus and the deceitfulness of my heart;
the unselfishness of Jesus and my selfishness;
the trust and faith of Jesus and my doubts and unbelief;
the holiness of Jesus and my unholiness.
I got my eyes off everybody but Jesus and myself, and I came to loathe myself.”
Let Us All See Jesus
May we each see Jesus, because it changes us. As we behold the Lord we are changed from one degree of glory to another, because we see ourselves more clearly and come to repentance and transformation.
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2Corinthians 3:18
If you are feeling pretty good about yourself, just ask the Lord to give you a vision of Jesus.