04/27/2022
What will our reaction be when we see Jesus face to face? Will we fall to our knees because we are unworthy? Will we fall to our knees and praise Him? Will we kiss his face, or maybe we will wash his feet with our tears? Any of these might happen, but there is always the possibility that we will be so overcome with emotion that we will faint, or that we might not recognize Him at first. How do you think you will react, and will it be in shame, tears, joy, or utter disbelief that He has come to you at last?
“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,”
Luke 5:8-9 ESV
When Jesus first calls us to follow Him it is not because we are righteous, or have impressed Him with our piety… it is because we are filled with sin, and need what He has to offer… redemption. So when we first see Him, and realize who He is, a likely reaction will be to fall to our knees in shame, and unworthiness like Peter did. Have you already done this? If you have then now, as a transformed believer, your encounters are most likely very different.
“So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.”
Matthew 28:8-9 ESV
After coming to know Jesus we are glad to see Him, and as He reveals Himself to us we are overjoyed, and will very likely fall at His feet to worship Him. If we greet Him in this way it will be a combination of absolute joy, and humility. Or perhaps we will simply kiss Him…
“Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.”
Romans 16:16 ESV
We are told repeatedly in the Bible to greet one another with a Holy kiss, so will we run to Him and smother Him in kisses? Will we be so filled with love for Him that all we can think to do is show Him that emotion in this way? Perhaps… but maybe our initial moment will be one of submission…
“and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.”
Luke 7:38 ESV
This is a scene that is incredibly moving. The woman will not even face Him, but falls in submission at His feet, and begins to wash His feet with her tears, and dry them with her hair. Will we kiss His feet as she did in total self-abandonment, and an outpouring of humbleness? Or will we lose consciousness altogether.
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
Revelation 1:17-18 ESV
Upon seeing Jesus, John immediately fainted. He was so overcome by emotion that he fell as if dead. Will the intensity of the moment be like this for us? Will seeing Him be so incredibly overwhelming that our mind’s defense mechanism will kick in, and the next thing we know Jesus will be picking us up off the ground?
Or will we recognize Him at all? Are we certain that we haven’t already seen our Lord without realizing it was Him? Jesus appeared to some, and He didn’t immediately allow them to recognize Him. Maybe this will happen to us. Have you ever met a stranger while walking your own road to Emmaus and later realized it was Jesus? What were the circumstances, and did you treat Him as you should? Did you reveal your faith, or perhaps your struggle with doubt?
“While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.”
Luke 24:15-16 ESV
Then again we might find ourselves desperately telling someone of our need to find Him, only to see that we aren’t speaking with a stranger at all, but Jesus Himself, and that He is calling us to action; perhaps to to tell others of His presence, or to deliver the message that He is coming.
“Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.””
John 20:14-15 ESV
Jesus meets us and calls us to action! Has He met, and called you?
“Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.”
John 20:17-18 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the face to face encounters we have with your Son Jesus, and our reactions to each of them. Thank you Lord for every circumstance, and the emotion it brings out in us. Thank you too for allowing us to recognize Him, and for your calling that we receive from Him. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who’s Son has redeemed us, walks with us, and leads us to you. Praised be your name for every encounter we have with you through Jesus, and the mix of emotions that we feel, and which occasionally overcome us. Merciful are you Lord for loving us so much that you have sent Him to us. We give you the glory for every calling you reveal to us, and for our walk with Jesus as we pursue it. Your grace is indeed sufficient as it flows over us…through Jesus. Wash us with His blood in this way, find us worthy in Him, and wash away every sin as we believe. Call us worthy of eternity with you Lord, and seat us, as your children and joint heirs with Jesus, alongside Him at your table forevermore.
Rich Forbes