Philippians 2:1,2 - "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." --- "Let This mind be in you!"
He landed in a strange vessel that caught the entire world, that He had created, completely off guard. "Born of a virgin": His earth suit was provided by a teenage mother; and "Emmanuel, God with us": He was donned with full vestige of all the power of Eternity (with constant connection) provided by his Heavenly Father ... "yet He took on the form of a servant". ... "YET HE TOOK ON THE FORM OF A SERVANT???" {repetition is always for emphasis}
As He walked among fallen men, He was almost invisible except for His trail of love. As He passed by ... the eyes of man, woman, and child would look with a steadfast gaze in hopes that He would turn and gaze on them. This desire of mankind to gaze toward God was not in their nature ... His first glance, His first love would spark the consequential desire of the world to capture His glance, His smile...His favor. We would look His way only because He was looking ours. We would have the opportunity to love Him only because He loved us first. His glance would change everything forever. Those who were willing to believe would gain an everlasting, intimate connection that He would secure, forever.
Would His glance truly change all that He would look upon? Has His glance changed you? Has the world around you come into focus in such a way that people really matter; and does it bother you that some around you may be ignoring or have rejected His glance? His glance is still opening opportunities for mankind to rise from the "death-life" of sin and be born again unto eternal life by Faith in Him, Christ Jesus. But there has been a strange mysterious handoff or sharing of His Glance. "Then said Jesus to them (His Followers) again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." John 20:21 Are you connected to Christ? Your glance now matters!
Jesus was sent out from the Father to set things aright by becoming the Way, the ONLY Way for mankind to return to the Father. The only provision for mankind's welcome home was the effectual result of His satisfactory payment for sin on the cross ... Although the cross of Christ has become an incident of curiosity, a historical moment of disdain, a relic of admiration, and often a topic of misinterpretation and argumental discussion; ultimately, to those who believe that it was the payment for their incurable human condition known as sin ... the cross cries Salvation..."It is finished!"
I sit amidst the congregations and I walk among men in anticipation of The Glance... should I be so surprised that I may not be acknowledged as even existing? "He (Jesus) came unto his own...and his own received Him not."
Jesus, If You were here in the flesh would You be acknowledged? Were You really comfortable with invisibility? You knew there were suspicious stares and ignorant turn-aways...How did You handle that? O the reality ... Jesus, You are alive, you are here, you are constantly with your people... and there are so many humble hearts that still desire to catch Your gaze.
I watch; and we seek You...though You are right here. Our feeble prayers try to invoke an awareness of our existence related to your greatness, but we speak to be heard of others. We cry out to You as if You are too far away to hear. We reach out and weep as though we have to prove our love in order to gain your approval.
Although our lips may seem near, our hearts are far from you. We cherish buildings, we love specific people, we hallow special days and events, we protect consecrated decor, we hold to half taught doctrines not knowing that half truths may separate us from You, ... "set apart" spaces, places and faces... and you can feel the thick darkness of "Don't mess with what is mine!" You cry to the servant ... "Follow Me!" for the servant knows only "Yours is my desire" and "Yours is no disgrace".
ARE WE WILLING TO BE SENT, TO CARRY HIS GLANCE, HIS SMILE, HIS STORY, HIS TOUCH to a those in the world, who are longing and looking for His gaze that is the only gaze that can welcome them home?
I felt someone staring from across the store. I looked quickly so as not to scare away the stare. As my eyes caught his in a split second glace, that was meant to say ... "I'm not really looking at you!" ; he quickly looked away. I noted his gray hair, his wrinkled skin, his stooping shoulders... and I ached; feeling his desire to recognise and be recognised began tearing at my soul. Immediately I looked back because I knew he had begun his gaze again ... I risked the embarrassment of "I don't know you!" and smiled his way. Caught by surprise...he offered a scared ,fragile smile and a nod in return ... as if to breathe a sigh of regained value,"someone knows me!". His head dropped with a more relaxed smile of comfort as he walked out the door into the night. Who knows what his real thoughts were ... what does it matter? (all our thoughts and moments matter to the Lover of our souls) ... but in that moment my desire was to let him know, with a gaze, "Jesus loves you!"
Rise up, O Gaze Carriers!
HLFA,
Jeff
