But We Do See Jesus...

 

But We Do See Jesus…

 

Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12

God has spoken by a son 

1:1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets,

1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.

1:3 He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

1:4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

2:5 Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels.

2:6 But someone has testified somewhere, "What are human that you are mindful of them or mortals that you care for them?

2:7 You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor,

2:8 subjecting all things under their feet." Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them,

2:9 but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

2:10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

2:11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,

2:12 saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you."

When you look around you right now, what do you see? Literally, what are you looking at, as you read this, other than this screen? Does what you see set a context for you and your thinking, at this moment, or is it a distraction? Here’s my view, as I write this week’s retirement sermon: I’m sitting at a two-top table in the “Spa” section of the Royal Caribbean ship, “The Vision of the Sea” (already sounds a bit theological, doesn’t it?), across from my “vision” of the perfect woman, with whom I share my life, 24/7. To my left is a group of adults languishing in a hot tub. I can’t hear their conversation, as I have my ear buds in, which have noise cancelling tech, and are playing some soft jazz into my cranium. To my right is the Atlantic Ocean, some puffy, white clouds, and the gentle breeze that is wafting off the blue water. Like your own setting, possibly, mine is both an inspiration AND a distraction, if you get the picture. What we “see” so often sets the scene for the scene that we may play out in life, or at least in that moment. It’s both the blessing and the curse of the human experience. I am one of those folk who is so easily distracted by some novel stimuli that meanders into my field of view, and frankly, I’m the better person for it. I LOVE these distractions! They can make life so rich, if you “go with the flow” of them. Can they derail more serious work? Of course they can, but then one must judge, just how “serious” is the work? And what if it gets delayed a few minutes by a beautiful scene, a timely, unexpected conversation, or a piece of music that just makes you stop dead in your tracks, close your eyes, and simply imagine? What we “see” may just be God breaking through in the moment, something we may miss, if we are so duty-bound that the distraction must simply be dispatched. Right now, as I write this, I feel suspended in the center—beauty all around, musical notes that are lifting my soul godward, one of the great seas of the creation rolling by, and eager fingers “qwertying” these thoughts at a rested, yet “fever” pace! This is a sweet spot, friends. I pray that as you read this narrative, you can see at least one thing that so richly blesses you that the “center” approaches, if not already surrounds you!

 

“But we would see Jesus…” This is the phrase from this Hebrews text that grabbed me today. I realize I’m not alone in this, as many have written sermons—and even songs—about it. With this simple sentence, the Hebrews writer turns the whole world in a different direction, revealing the divine genius of a plan to “fix” what was broken about humanity. God had done God’s best work in creating everything we see, and that’s a serious collection of “everything”! This ocean to my right is certainly on the everything list, as are the stars, galaxies, nebula, moons, and other celestial artifacts me and my SeeStar smart telescope love to find in the heavens. The amazing woman sitting across from me right now—wearing HER noise-cancelling headphones, and doing a crossword puzzle—is at the top of my personal everything list, for her life could serve as a template for ideal womanhood; she is a true amalgamation of the “Proverbs 31” woman and a 2024 “power woman.” So, God created the heavens and the earth…and US. The “US” part has given God indigestion. Libraries full of books have been written about “why are we here,” but many pages of holy writ make it clear that God made us because God IS a God who chose NOT to exist as God WITHOUT relationships. We were created to be God’s friends, and to enjoy the home God made for us to revel in. Apparently, we have not yet left the “teenager” stage, as our response has been to take undue advantage of our “home,” push it to near ruin, hog its resources, and then pick ridiculous fights with our siblings. If you want to be trite and “religious” about it, you can call this behavior, “sin.” I tend to shy away from that label, as it causes most folk to think it’s not “their problem,” as they aren’t horrible, very bad, no-good “sinners.” In fact, we have ALL been in a developmental phase that really DOES resemble more that of rebellious, “testing the limits” teenagers. As parents, you might remember the time when your own teenagers first responded in a way that offered a glimmer of hope that the “teenage” phase was beginning to wane, while the onset of true adulthood was waxing. For God, this was the moment the Bible describes as “the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4), and it was when God was ready for our next phase of development: God sent God’s Son, Jesus, into the world.

 

Truth be told, according to the Hebrews writer, Jesus had been there all along. In fact, the writer tells us that, as part of the godhead, Jesus was a partner in the creation. Jesus just didn’t “appear” in a manger in Bethlehem; there was a lot more going on than we can even know, at this point, but the revelation was that the time was right, Jesus entered the “human world,” and we were ready to “see” Jesus for what he was. Our “teenage years” had put quite a strain on our relationship with Parent God, and since we were created precisely FOR relationships, this was a biggie. Jesus would fix this, first by fully relating to us and the “human condition.” Jesus himself would be “tested” by strained relationships, first with the little garage band of friends he chose to accompany him on the journey, then the religious and political leaders of his day, and finally, with God, god-self, while hanging on the cross. Jesus needed to understand how humans experienced strained and broken relationships in order to apply the required remedy. Now, I know my theology is more “liberal” than yours may be, but I believe the cross was so much more than just Jesus as a “meat sacrifice” atoning for “sin.” In fact, the pain of broken relationships, betrayals, and cowardice that PUT him on the cross was the central “point” of the experience. By fully understanding human brokenness, Jesus was able to present an ultimate, transforming love that soothed, healed, and “relaunched” the human relationship experience, both with “neighbor” and God. Even our relationship with the whole of creation was positively affected. And as I’ve said many times before, the resurrection was about SO MUCH MORE than just a guy “coming back from the dead,” and even more than “conquering death.” The resurrection demonstrated that even a wholly broken relationship with God—even one that threatened our very existence—could be healed and restored. God “welcomed” the Son back into God’s loving realm, even after he was so dirtied and beaten by human selfishness and the stain of “what’s in it for me?” relationships. 

 

So, we DO see Jesus! We see Jesus when our love of neighbor kicks in, or when we feel God’s presence in a worship service. In fact, being IN a worship service at all is one of the clearest pieces of evidence that we “see” Jesus. The author of Hebrews wants us to know, too, that forever—FOREVER—Jesus sees us. In Jesus Christ, God turned “US-ward” for all eternity. I’m one who believes that, since God chose US in Christ, God is now up to what Paul tells us in II Corinthians 5: “…in Christ, reconciling the world to godself.” This is God’s action, not ours. We are privileged to witness to it, and invite others to join us, but we do not “do” any of this—it is all a product of the grace and love of God, and NO ONE will be excluded who WANTS to be included. Now THAT’S Good News! Take a few minutes to inventory how you “see” Jesus right now. If your list is way too short to be thankful, get in touch with him, and remind yourself that he, through the marvelous agency of the Holy Spirit, is WITHIN you, around you, embracing you! SEE Jesus, my friend, SEE JESUS! We DO see Jesus!

 

Just this morning, on the cruise, we had breakfast with some folk with whom we were seated at random by the dining room staff. I struck up a conversation with a couple who were formally United Methodist and were married by a United Methodist pastor, but who now are part of a “Messianic Fellowship,” meaning that most of them were Jewish, who now also accept Jesus to be the Messiah. The woman of the couple was raised in a Jewish family but had followed her husband into his Methodist/Christian faith. This new relationship with God has deepened not only their closeness to God, but has allowed the two “wings” of the wife’s faith to be reunited in a meaningful way. AND it has renewed her fellowship with the Jewish community, while not cutting her off from her “adopted” Christian experience. Oh that more of us would enter into these kind of interfaith relationships! I think they give God true joy, as our God IS a God of the relationship!

 

Here is the challenge of Hebrews 2:9—How will you “see” Jesus today? In your neighbor? In the midst of some personal crisis where God meets you? In the inner dialogue during your most quiet, reflective moments? Or as you read your Bible with an eye toward revelation and enlightenment? Friend, you ARE a child of the resurrection, and whatever “deadness” you may be experiencing, Jesus is here to raise you and rejuvenate your eternal relationship with The Eternal. Why? Because thanks to the grace and agency of the living God, we DO SEE JESUS! Amen!