Seeing Jesus

Maybe you know the verses from Numbers by heart, or maybe not at all. These verses are called the “The Aaronic blessing." They were the words that the priest of the people of Israel regularly uttered over the people. A blessing wish. Wonderful, right?

Let me emphasize for a moment the words "the light of His countenance" and "turning His countenance." The word countenance means face. So in this blessing it says that the light of the face of God may shine upon us and that His face is turned toward us.

If I put it very simply, this is about looking at each other, having eye contact. Being close and loving. Light and grace. Imagine receiving those words of blessing from the mouth of the priest. And they are not self-made words; they are the words of God Himself.

God wants eye contact.

God wants to be near.

God wants to shine on us with His light.

Jesus wants eye contact.

Jesus wants to be near.

Jesus wants to shine on us with His light.

Do you make eye contact with Him?

Are you close to Him?

Does His light illuminate you?

Pause for a moment and let this sink in....

In The Chosen, you see Mary. Things have gone wrong, and she feels terribly guilty. How can she face Jesus again? How can things become like before? In her own words, "He already fixed me once.... And I broke again. I can't face Him."

Her head down.

Her courage faded.

Her thinking dark.

And Jesus? He asks Mary to raise her head. To look at Him. Jesus comes close. When Mary raises her head, she sees light and love, and she receives grace.

Like Mary, you too, may come to Jesus in your brokenness. Look upon Him. See His light and His grace.

He is waiting for you.

Take the following questions to think about:

• What do you experience when you let this blessing from Numbers come in?
• When was the last time you looked at Jesus like this and were close to Him?

Prayer: "Lord, how incredibly great that You want to look at me like this. Thank You for Your love, light, and grace. Help me, Lord, when I feel unworthy, to seek You out. And Lord, when I forget, seek me out and show me again who You are. Amen."