If you’re like me and I imagine many people, we grew up hearing and learning details of the awesome things that Jesus did for many of the people He met and whose lives He touched during His time here on this earth. Each story brings awe and wonder as to the depth of caring and unwavering love Jesus showed.
However, regardless of how touched we may be by such examples, they may still seem just that… an historical account, a story, an example, that despite how compelling, may be hard for us to totally and personally relate to. We aren’t living in the time that Jesus walked this earth. We haven’t seen Him, nor talked with Him in person or even talked to anyone who has. We may believe without a doubt that each page of the Bible is the accurate truth and inspired word of God, but if we admit it, might we also wonder… just what it would have been like to be there. Right there. Looking in His eyes, hearing His voice and being close enough to feel His physical presence. Just (try to) imagine that for a moment…
A few weeks ago, I saw a photo on the internet that literally took my breath away. I’m sure it didn’t resonate in the same way with others that it did for me. It truly stopped me in my tracks and as I absorbed the wonder of it and it’s powerful meaning, I realized tears were streaming down my face. Just what kind of picture could move me in that way? This is it….
When I saw this photograph, I immediately put myself in this ladies place. Everything I’ve ever heard about, learned about, or believed does and will happen, became critically real to me. Before I saw this photograph, and if I had ever truly considered what seeing Jesus for the first time might be like, I bet I would have thought I would quietly walk up to Him in amazement. I would be quiet, and reserved, respectful and humble and likely not have reached out to touch him without a sense of permission first. But this picture apparently reached way down in my heart and soul and said, “Oh, no, Dede” you will run… you will jump in His arms, you will cry… you will know at the very first eye-to-eye and heart-to-heart that THIS SAME JESUS, that you’ve believed in all your life – wants to hug you and hold you, just as much (if not more) that you will want to be near Him.
The power of the realization that follows experiencing a moment in time such as this for me, is that THIS SAME JESUS is the very same one who open blinded eyes and died for MY sin. Even though we’ve heard stories of who else we will see in Heaven, it won’t be Paul, Abraham or even Gabriel that we will want to see. It will be God’s only son Jesus, the one who died on Calvary. The very same one.
About a month ago, I found a 500 song playlist of Southern Gospel Music on Spotify. If you know me at all, you will understand that was like a mega Christmas, birthday and anniversary gift for me. I’ve spent the last several weeks working my way through that list and selecting probably 25 songs that I added to my personal playlist of similar music. Interestingly, as I was flipping through the playlist of songs I knew and some I had never heard, a song started playing. Not just any song… it was called, THIS SAME JESUS, and it was only a few days after I saw the powerful photograph. Talk about divine intervention. A God wink of major proportion! The Holy Spirit working over time. And yes, as I turned up the volume (good thing I was by myself) and quickly joined in the chorus of this song, I knew that the experience of the photo would be EXACTLY what I will experience one day.
THIS SAME JESUS is coming back again!
The song, THIS SAME JESUS is by a gospel group I had not heard before, called Master’s Voice. They have powerful voices, beautiful harmonies, an incredibly touching message (and, a bit of a southern twang!). Do yourself a BIG favor. Stop what you are doing, listen to this song and BELIEVE IT!