September 10, 2023
Seeing Jesus And Others Too One Day
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me, and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” John 14:19-21 (NASB)
I look back to a man who helped me immensely through seminary, I remember a dream I had a few years ago. Let me give a little back story first: Mr. Leroy was a card. He was a deacon, an usher, and an all-around funny guy. He wore wild suits each church week with a tie. The tie was normally something that came from the children’s department. It was short and flashy. Toward the end of his life, he became very sick. He could barely move. He wore a tracheotomy tube to help him breathe. He died a few years later. One night I dreamt about him. He was wearing a crazy suit with an outlandish tie. He was dancing a jig, with a huge smile. I woke with tears in my eyes, thanking God for showing me how happy he is now. Death could not stop him.
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.” “Soon Jesus would die, and the world would see Him no more. But He would be resurrected and bring into view eternal life—so His people would live also, and He would be with them.”[1] When Jesus referred to Himself as disappearing from the world, He referred to His coming crucifixion. His death would be viewed as having dealt with a problem. No more could He bother them, or could He? When Jesus said, “but you will see Me; because I live,” He referred to a time when the disciples would see His resurrected body with them, eating, talking, and teaching them before He left earth. The promise to every genuine believer today is one day we too will see Jesus, “because I live.” The disciples got to experience something amazing. They were allowed to see Jesus return from the dead in His glorified body. They were allowed to hear His voice, which one day we too will hear when we die, or through the rapture. The disciples would also comforted to know, “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” All of the teachings; all of the time Jesus spent with them, and all the questions they had about His identity would be answered. Their conclusions would be finalized. He is God. The disciples' love for Jesus was unmatched, but questions still plagued their minds as the hours counted down. They would have all those answered when Jesus was resurrected from the grave. Their love for Jesus would change too. They would show their love for Jesus through loving and keeping, “My commandments.” When they showed their love to Jesus, then the Father would love them, and a bonus would also be manifest. When they did, Jesus would “disclose Himself to him.” “A clear, conspicuous manifestation is indicated. Compare ye see me (ver. 19). “It conveys more than the disclosing of an undiscovered presence (ἀποκαλύπτω), or the manifesting of a hidden one (φανερόω)” (Westcott).”[2] They would see Him as He is!
I believe to this day; God wants to show us things. Sometimes, it is to show a piece of heaven. It gets us ready for what is ahead. I can’t wait to see all my loved ones one day. The promise is given through Jesus who says, “you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.” I get all the benefits through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He paid the price for it all!
[1] Foster, L. (1987). John: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 155). Standard.
[2] Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 246). Charles Scribner’s Sons.