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Lenten Devotional

March 7, 2020

All Day

Seeing God

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves” (John 14: 5-11).

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known(John 1:18).

But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him,

for we shall see him as he is (1John 3:3).

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God(Matthew 5:8). 

When it comes to seeing God today, unlike Jesus’ disciple John, we anticipate the sure promise of seeing him in the future, when Jesus comes again. Ever since I can remember, my favorite beatitude (Matthew 5:8) has reflected that. I really want to see God – and I am so glad of this promise! 

Now you and I know we can’t be pure in heart as water is pure, or as gold is pure. But we as Christians are purified by two things: 1) the blood of Jesus dying on the cross and 2) daily choosing to follow Jesus and his way of living. The first is a done deal, thanks to our Father and Jesus; the second is a daily decision we make and must do something about.  

So, what does a pure heart look like? Those who are pure in heart –want anddo– what God wants; their values are the same as God’s; they see things the way God does. They have “God’s eyes and heart” and are his “hands and feet.”

Specifically, for me today, being pure in heart means being grateful (for a great job, for family, for friends, for good health), but more than this, I am so very thankful for Jesus and his death for me, and for the whole world. This truth concretely means I see each person I meet as someone Jesus lived, died, and rose for.  It means I treat them in this manner, a manner of one worthy of Jesus’ life —and death. With dignity.

Let’s take time today to think about how to see with God’s eyes and ask him to show us where we can be his heart, hands and feet. Let’s be concrete. What’s that “one thing” God is calling us to? Finally, may our hearts be pure so we might see God in his people, and be forever with him in heaven.

Prayer:God, show me your heart and what I can do for you today. 

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