Moments of Inspiration

Meditations on the Master from
the Radio Ministry of Steve McLean

Another Look at Jesus 

I never tire of talking about Jesus. He’s my Lord and Savior and I love him. I know everyone doesn’t feel about Jesus as I do. Some claim to believe in him but don’t love him, at least not to the point of being obedient to him. But Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Others are just not sure about Jesus, not sure who he was, or is. Maybe we need to take another look at Jesus, and reconsider some of the things written in the Bible about him, and weigh the evidence that supports the claim that Jesus really is the Son of God.

First, take another look at some of the prophecies he fulfilled. Fulfilled prophecy is very convincing. For example, Isaiah said, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call him Immanuel” (7:14). That was written over seven centuries before Jesus was born. And Jesus was born to a virgin. Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they had sexual union she was pregnant. This had to be explained to her by an angel: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Almighty will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Luke 1:34, 35). So you see, it is not only the fact that the birth itself was a miracle (conception by a virgin), but also the fact that the miracle was foretold, that convinces us that Jesus is God’s Son.

The place of his birth was also predicted centuries before it happened. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose goings out are from old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2). And in direct fulfillment of this prophecy Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

It was also prophesied that Jesus would live a sinless life, work miracles, be killed with criminals, buried with the rich, and then raised from the dead. These and hundreds of other details about his life, death, and resurrection were all predicted hundreds of years before they happened. These demonstrate beyond doubt that Jesus is divine, that he is the Son of God.

Another look at Jesus should include at least a glimpse at some of his miracles. We use the word “miracle” rather loosely today, when we refer to any fascinating even and say, “It’s a miracle.” The miracles of Jesus were such that they could not be explained away. He did things no one else could do. He spoke and a violent storm instantly became calm. Do you know anyone else with that kind of power? He had power over the law of gravity. He walked on water. As he did this he convinced his disciples of who he was and that he could calm the storms in their lives. Jesus used his tremendous power with great compassion. He healed people with various kinds of diseases, caused blind people to see, deaf people to hear, crippled people to walk, and he even raised the dead. And when Jesus healed a person the healing was instantaneous and complete, with no recuperation period to follow. I encourage you to read and study the miracles of Jesus for they are indisputable proof of his power and divinity.

Now, another look at Jesus. A closer look, into the matter of his resurrection. Remember that it has been established by factual evidence. The Bible accounts of his resurrection are factual narratives, not fictional novels. Think about it. Jesus appeared at least eleven times after his death and burial. On one occasion he appeared to more than 500 people at once. When Jesus died his closest friends gave up in despair and hopeless-ness. But following his resurrection and appearances to them, they were willing to die for their faith in the risen Son of God. Would men give their lives for a lie? You know, the very existence of the church 2000 years later is evidence of the reality of the resurrection.

If you have doubts about Jesus, take another look. See him as one who loves you and gave his life for you. See him as one who is calling for you to come to him and be saved. See him as the one who said, just before he returned to the Father, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

One day you and I will take a look at Jesus, literally. We will see him face to face. What do you expect to see? His loving smile as he says, “Well done, faithful servant”? Or will you be afraid to look at him? Will he have to say to you, “Depart from me, for I never knew you”? Will that be your first and last look at Jesus? Or will you be permitted to look at his face for all eternity? That’s the way Jesus wants it to be. That’s why he died on the cross for you. Why not decide now to “look to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith”? Look at Jesus and believe that he is who he said he is, the Son of God. Then fix your gaze on him as your aim in life. Look at him and become like him.

That is what the Christian life is all about.