Get Real October 18 Devotional
October 18, 2024
1 PETER 1:8-9 | 8 Although you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
LUKE 10:23 | 23 Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!
JOHN 20:29 | 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 | 12 For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.
There are four stages to “seeing” Jesus. There were those who longed to see the Messiah, the Deliverer, come to invigorate a new age. Such were the kings and the prophets as well as many generations of ordinary Jewish followers. Then there were the people of Jesus’ generation. The old man, Simeon, rejoiced when he saw Mary and Joseph present their baby in the Temple—”my eyes have seen Your salvation.” The disciples and followers were eyewitnesses, as John remarks, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory!” (John 1:14) We come into the third category, those who see Him now through faith, “who have not seen (physically) and still believe.” Jesus honors us in His remark to Thomas in John 20. Then there is the ultimate view of our Lord, what Catholics call the beatific vision, a face to face encounter with Jesus in all His glory. That vision is our destiny.
Open your eyes and heart to see Jesus active in your life today.
Gracious God,
Thank You for blessing all who believe and have not seen, first hand, Your miracles, or heard Your voice speak. Sustain in us the hope of a final salvation and a wonderous life lived in Your presence.
Amen.
