MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

In one of our churches, the phrase, "'Sir, we would see Jesus'" was stamped on a brass plate on the pulpit. A mentor of mine taught that there are three essentials for preaching: use scripture, be positive, and focus on Jesus. That's good advice, not just for a preacher, but for a successful approach to life.

Historian Arnold Toynbee once observed that no people have ever risen above their religion, and no civilization has ever survived the decay of its religion. A.W. Tozer sharpened the point by writing that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. A question to ask ourself is, what is my idea of God?

Religion can be a system of beliefs, practices, or moral expectations. But Jesus prayed the night before the cross, "'This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent'" (John 17:3). The Book of Hebrews opens with a clear answer to knowing God: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Hebrews 1:1-3). To know God, look at Jesus.

The pulpit phrase comes from an account in John chapter 12, immediately after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Some Greeks came and asked Philip for permission to see his Rabbi. Philip relayed the message to Andrew, and the two of them took the request to Jesus. The Lord didn't give a simple yes or no; instead, Jesus used the image of a grain of wheat (verse 24). Then He applied the principle to His followers. "'Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me'” (John 12:25-26). Following Jesus involves losing our self-centered life in this world. The path to resurrection passes through a death to self.

Jesus used the illustration of the brass serpent in the wilderness (Numbers chapter 21) to show that lives lifted up for God become a quiet testimony pointing toward Him. Jesus continued speaking. "'Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. … Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light'” (John 12:35-36). Darkness is more than the absence of information; it's a life void of relationship and obedience.

In another encounter with Philip, Jesus answered, "'Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father'” (John 14:9). Knowing Jesus transforms the way we see God, as well as everything else. In John chapter 15, Jesus spoke of remaining in Him in order to bear fruit. The apostle Paul explains the fruit in Galatians 5:22-23 as an expression of the life that God shares with us: "...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Other words in Scripture associated with God include truth, beauty, grace, mercy, justice, holiness. Abiding in Christ allows His Spirit to live in us, which produces qualities that begin to take root and grow. Knowing God changes a person from the inside out.

The starting place for real change, in our own life and in the world around, is a renewed vision of God as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Yes, physical, emotional, and mental needs all matter. But each of us has a spiritual self that is eternal, and which can only be nurtured in God's presence.

If our idea of God or religion is small, our lives will be small. If our idea of God is distorted, our lives will be distorted. But when we see Jesus clearly - the radiance of God's glory, the exact representation of His being, the One who loved us and gave Himself for us - then everything else begins to find its proper place.

The Greeks who came to Philip requested, "'Sir, we would see Jesus.'” That remains the essential request. See Him in the scriptures, in His willingness to lay down His life. See Him as the light that still shines in darkness. See Him as the One who makes the Father known. Walk in the light, abide in that relationship, and allow His Spirit to form godly character in you. The vision we see will reshape us until our lives lift up Jesus and point others to God who shared himself with us.