But We See Jesus

But We See Jesus

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Heb. 2:9-11.

Who do we see when the pressures of life come over us? Do we see Jesus? The One who was made a little lower than the angels, and who for the suffering of death, was crowned with glory and honor, because He gave His life in every situation. The fear of death, or the fear of losing His own life, had no power over Him. He had this goal of bringing many sons to glory as a clear vision set before Him. What a glorious Captain we have, who never once avoided suffering, but who was obedient every time, in every situation. He tasted death for everyone. This is a death to self-will. What an example we have of someone who went the full distance in sanctification. Now is our time to go on this way of sanctification. We have a great High Priest who is not ashamed to call us brethren. We are going on the same way that He did, where we find our will in home life, church life and also at our place of work.

“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2. I can often see my own will as life unfolds and I come under pressure. This is the “now,” when I have the opportunity for my will to be bent. It becomes clear that “now” is the accepted time for me to work out my salvation with fear and trembling.

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Ps. 34:4-8.

The mindset to seek the Lord brings great reward. He will save me from my fears—the fear of death—in other words, the fear of giving up my will. But when I see Jesus, I am not ashamed, because I see the way out of the poverty that comes from living for myself. I know that my Lord has gone the same way. He knows how I can be saved out of all my troubles—from my incredibly strong human will that needs to be bent, so that I can do the will of the Father. When I see Jesus, and begin walking on this way of salvation, Jesus also sees me, and He encamps around me to save me. He shows me the way that will deliver me from all of these strong forces in my flesh. Step by step, as my will is being bent, I taste and see that the Lord is good. The old is being taken away, making room for something new—gentle, warm, kind, and patient—replacing all that was hard, cold, stiff and grumpy—everything that once was commonplace! What wisdom it is to put my trust in a loving Captain of my salvation, who has a plan to completely transform me so that I am unrecognizable. This truly is a new creation!