Beholding Jesus the Christ

Aug 30 2024 - Eric Buresh

There is such unbelievably great transformational power in the simple act of beholding Jesus, and yet I often take so little time to simply meditate on Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 describes this transformational power plainly: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” There is a divine cause and effect, a heavenly means to a perfect end. Beholding the self-emptying, sacrificial love of Christ transforms us, by the Spirit, into loving people, reflecting His glory. 

Today, I chose to behold Christ as He is described in Philippians 2:6-8: “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” I hope you’ll join me, and I pray we are all transformed together. 

Let us behold the love of Christ. Here, Paul takes us to the heights of Christ's pre-existent glory and then to the depths of His earthly humility. Jesus, though being in very nature God, did not cling to His divine privileges. Instead, He emptied Himself, not by losing His deity, but by taking on humanity. He became a servant, and more than that, He submitted to the most ignominious death—death on a cross. Oh, the wonder of this love! Can we even fathom such condescension? The King of glory, adored by angels, humbling Himself to dwell among sinful men, to serve, to suffer, and to die. Here is love vast as the ocean. Here is the heart of the gospel—the self-giving, sacrificial love of Jesus Christ.   

This is not a love to be admired from a distance. It is a love that transforms. The Spirit does His work within us as we continually fix our eyes on Jesus. When we see the humility of Christ, we are humbled. When we see His servanthood, we are compelled to serve. When we see His sacrificial love, we are moved to lay down our lives for others. If we would be like Christ, we must dwell in His presence, gaze upon His beauty, and meditate on His love. Let us immerse ourselves in His Word, where His love is displayed in words and deeds. Let us come often to the foot of the cross, where His love is poured out in blood. Let us contemplate His resurrection, where His love conquered death and brings new life. 

And we should not forget that this transformation is not for our sake alone, but for the sake of Christ’s love for the world. As we are transformed into Christ’s image, we become His hands and feet, His voice and heart, to a world in desperate need of His love. Our transformed lives become a testimony to the power of the gospel, a beacon of hope to those lost in darkness. 

Until we see our Savior face to face, let us dive into His Word for the joy and the power of beholding Him. A simple means to a majestic and glorious end!