Jesus Saw, 30of30

~ Jesus Christ Sees Individuals, and He Sees You! ~

This is the final post in our “Jesus Saw” series. 

Introduction  ~  In this series we have seen multiple examples of Jesus seeing individuals—not crowds! 

How Do You Think God Sees You?  ~  This is not just an academic question, rather it is an important question to your satisfaction, happiness, and joy in this life.  Strange as it is many spend much of their time worrying about how other people see them and very little time contemplating how the God of this universe sees them. 

Some Options  ~  Some people think that since “God is love” they can assume that no long-term harm will come to them.  Some think God is like a great cosmic teacher who grades on a curve: all I have to do is be better than the next guy.  Others might think God is disappointed in them… or angry with them… or surprised by their actions.  Some have given up and decided there is no way to meet God’s standards—so why try? 

The Truth  ~  You are in fact unable to measure up to God’s standard of righteousness, and yes, God is love and He loves you as the individual you are!  That is why He sent His Son to pay the penalty of your sin.  “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:14-17).

True Options  ~  There are only two options.  Either you remain separated from God because of your sin and are bound to an eternity separated from God OR you accept His provision and are reunited with God and headed to an eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ. 

Separated From God  ~ Hell is a real eternal place.  It is punishment which is described in Scripture as a bottomless pit (Revelation 20:3-6), a prison (1 Peter 3:19, a place of torment (Luke 16:21), a fire (Matthew 13:42-50), and as a worm that never dies (Mark 9:44-48).  It is also called the second death (Revelation 21:8), and the wrath of God (Romans 2:5).  Perhaps the one of the most significant descriptions is a place of darkness (Matthew 8:12 and Jude 13) which is in contrast to heaven which will be full of light (Revelation 22:5).

United With God  ~  Jesus Christ said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)   The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)   There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)   You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)   You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Saw, 29

~ Jesus Christ Provides for His Own ~ 

General Comment  ~  When Jesus saw there was always an appropriate reaction and in each case we can learn from the event.

Today’s Scripture  ~  “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’  Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’  And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home” (John 19:25-27). 

Application  ~  Jesus provides for our current needs.  “No temptation has [or will] overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).  “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

Jesus also provides for our future.  Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:1-4). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Saw, 28

~ Jesus Christ Cries Over Our Tears ~ 

General Comment  ~  When Jesus saw there was always an appropriate reaction and in each case we can learn from the event.

Today’s Scripture  ~  “Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.’  Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.  And He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’  They said to Him, ‘Lord, come and see.’  Jesus wept.  Then the Jews said, ‘See how He loved him!’  And some of them said, ‘Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?’  Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb.  It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.  Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’  Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.’  Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.  And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.  And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’  Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’  And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.  Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go’” (John 11:32-44). 

Application  ~  God knows, understands, identifies with, and feels our emotions.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.  Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer.  Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.  And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation” (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .