“Every day when you encounter God . . . you face the choice of simply looking at Jesus or actually trying to see him (emphasis author’s).”- Jared C. Wilson
As Jared Wilson continues Chapter 3 of The Imperfect Disciple, he advises not to “believe the portraits of Jesus you got in your sweet little Sunday school classes.” Jared sees Jesus portrayed as kind of shy and unassuming. Also, that view portrays Jesus as totally loving to save you- if it’s not too much of a bother to you. Thus, Jared summarizes:
“You and I come to Jesus looking for some kind of pick-me-up, and Jesus offers his flesh. We come looking for Jesus the life coach when what we really need is his glory. We need to behold him.”
Therefore, in John 4 the real Jesus shows up. He shows up uninvited. In addition, He starts out giving commands. And in his conversation with the woman at Jacob’s well, He exposes her greatest vulnerability. But Jesus brings her shame to the surface to cover it, not embarrass her.
When Adam and Ever hid from God in the Garden of Eden, they used fig leaves to cover their shame. A superficial attempt. However, God wanted to cover their shame with a sacrifice. A costly covering. As Jared adds, ” to cover them rightly, something had to bleed.”
Yet, Jesus’ glory often is right in front of us, like His face-to-face encounter with the woman at the well. And like her, we’re parched, starving, thirsty, and hungry for the glory of God.
As a result, when you encounter God in your daily devotional time or time of worship, you face a choice. Do you simply look at Jesus or actually try to see Him?
Today’s question: How do you encounter God in your daily activities? Please share.
tomorrow’s blog: “Stare at the glory of God”
