"Do We See Jesus?"

I don't know about you but I get wearied of all the pep talking and pop psychology offered by so many when people face difficulties. It sounds good until the people going through the difficulty leave those speaking and face the reality of their struggles. If we aren't careful, we will destroy their hope because they begin to believe something is wrong with them!

Maybe what we are missing is the real, genuine understanding of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. When we look at the writings of Peter, he speaks of the salvation not yet revealed, a living hope because of Christ and a hoped-for inheritance that is imperishable and undefiled reserved for you (I Pet. 1:3-5). Peter speaks of a hopeful people looking for a new heaven and earth in which only righteousness dwells (II Pet. 3;13). And all these brothers and sisters looked forward to this simply on the basis of a promise.

What seized them that they held so strongly to what they could not see? What kept them moving forward when persecutions and struggles were theirs daily? It was their understanding and conviction of Jesus Christ! They came to love Him more than anything and the new life they had been born into was their life! Because of their Lord and what He brought them to, they were willing to be His followers, His pilgrims joyfully moving in this world as they waited for the real world to come. It was their trust in Him and love for Him that was so strong they were glad to experience whatever came while they waited for the completion of their salvation. It is true, many of them had never seen Jesus (like all of us) but "though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory." (I Pet. 1:8) They looked the horrors of this corrupted and sinful world right in the eyes, seeing it for what it is and went on living in confidence because of what they possessed in Jesus and what He has secured for them.

Maybe the vast majority of us have never been desperate enough to know the utter joy of complete dependence on Jesus Christ! I know I haven't but I am striving toward that. When we have no other props like sufficient money in the bank, a steady job, good health, a devoted family and a network of friends, that will help us discover how assuring Christ can be. All the above are blessings from God but do they work us harm spiritually? When all our props are gone or nearly gone, then we will be thrown back onto the Christ as our only, solitary means of support and then we will see Jesus for who He really is and find the joy that is "inexpressible."