"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, NKJV)
The translation from which I read on the video was the NASB. I have read this passage for so many years in the KVJ, however, that I found myself stumbling over words sometimes. Yet this passage is one of the most powerful in all of Holy Writ. Two phrases stood out to me today as I read this portion of my quarterly reading.
1. ".....the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God...." There is just no other, "image of God." Were a person to attempt to create one, he would be utterly in error. People want to "see" God? "....Christ...is the image of God...." Reject Jesus? reject God. It is the same rejection. See Jesus; see God. It's the same seeing.
2. ....the light of the knowledge of the glory of God (is) in the face of Jesus Christ," and only, "in the face of Jesus Christ." This is why the Name of Jesus should dominate our worship, our prayers, our songs, our sermons and teachings, our witness. "The heavens declare the glory of God," but it is a vague revelation compared to, "the face of Jesus Christ." Those who look at the universe, "mother earth," the beauty of creation without, "the face of Jesus Christ," can become nothing but pantheists.
Our text could be a reason we are commanded to, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus...." How is this done? Well, I do not fully know. But I do know that the Bible is the primary encounter of, "the face of Jesus Christ." If one just sits with eyes closed in some meditative act, if one Just goes to some artists' portrayal of Jesus, whether it is in print or film (though they do have a place), he will not see, "the face of Jesus Christ," nor, "the glory of God." But I do see, "the face of Jesus Christ," and, "the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus," from Genesis to Revelation. Even in the wars, the sin, the deserved punishment and judgment, there is, "the face of Jesus Christ," loving, forgiving, calling to account, rebuking, encouraging, revealing grace, mercy, the father of Luke 15, waiting, yearning for his lost son. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Father, in Jesus' Name, there are not many "how-tos" in Your Words. Thank You for that, for we might become to much how-to people rather than We-Love-You people. Amen.
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* New articles at: jhs58.blogspot.com
* May Mission, Berlin/Bosnia: May 1-20
The translation from which I read on the video was the NASB. I have read this passage for so many years in the KVJ, however, that I found myself stumbling over words sometimes. Yet this passage is one of the most powerful in all of Holy Writ. Two phrases stood out to me today as I read this portion of my quarterly reading.
1. ".....the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God...." There is just no other, "image of God." Were a person to attempt to create one, he would be utterly in error. People want to "see" God? "....Christ...is the image of God...." Reject Jesus? reject God. It is the same rejection. See Jesus; see God. It's the same seeing.
2. ....the light of the knowledge of the glory of God (is) in the face of Jesus Christ," and only, "in the face of Jesus Christ." This is why the Name of Jesus should dominate our worship, our prayers, our songs, our sermons and teachings, our witness. "The heavens declare the glory of God," but it is a vague revelation compared to, "the face of Jesus Christ." Those who look at the universe, "mother earth," the beauty of creation without, "the face of Jesus Christ," can become nothing but pantheists.
Our text could be a reason we are commanded to, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus...." How is this done? Well, I do not fully know. But I do know that the Bible is the primary encounter of, "the face of Jesus Christ." If one just sits with eyes closed in some meditative act, if one Just goes to some artists' portrayal of Jesus, whether it is in print or film (though they do have a place), he will not see, "the face of Jesus Christ," nor, "the glory of God." But I do see, "the face of Jesus Christ," and, "the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus," from Genesis to Revelation. Even in the wars, the sin, the deserved punishment and judgment, there is, "the face of Jesus Christ," loving, forgiving, calling to account, rebuking, encouraging, revealing grace, mercy, the father of Luke 15, waiting, yearning for his lost son. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Father, in Jesus' Name, there are not many "how-tos" in Your Words. Thank You for that, for we might become to much how-to people rather than We-Love-You people. Amen.
*******************************
* New articles at: jhs58.blogspot.com
* May Mission, Berlin/Bosnia: May 1-20
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
