No one is immune to having clouded judgment or making a wrong decision at some point in his/her life. We need to know the heart of the Lord—to “see” through the eyes of Jesus in all situations. So, how do we do that? It cannot be done when we are “seeing” through the lenses of an unsanctified or carnal soul, or even worse an unsaved one. Without a revelation of Jesus, “seeing” is impossible. Jesus must be Lord and Savior in a person’s life. In addition to that, a person must be tried and tested through the baptism by fire, that is, a filling with the Holy Spirit. Finally, and certainly, not the least, each person must be sanctified through a spiritual maturational process.
When we “see” through the eyes of Jesus, we illuminate and reflect the love and character of Christ Jesus, in our Christian walk. Second Corinthians 4:4 states that, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ , who is the image of God.” The god of the world (Satan) has blinded the minds of unrepentant people. They are perishing because their hearts and minds are veiled (separated from knowing of and having access to God). That bridge, that barrier of darkness, first occurred through the disobedience of our first parents in the Garden of Eden. We can become a reflection of Jesus’ light when we turn from the path of darkness to repentance from sin and to God’s forgiveness. (Acts 26:18)
As the satanic veil of darkness is removed, “the eyes of the heart are enlightened. (Ephesians 1:18) At Jesus’ death, the veil in the temple was torn in half from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51) That veil had separated the Holy Place (the special place, sanctuary) from the Holy of Holies (the inner sanctuary and the Presence of God). The high priest was the mediator between God and the people and once a year he would enter through the veil to the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people and himself. Jesus, at death, became High Priest and the eternal portal into the Presence of God. There was no longer a need for an earthly mediator (priest) or the old covenant; hence, the veil between the Holy Place and the most Holy Place was torn from top to bottom and considered null and void. (Romans 6:23) Christ ushered in a new covenant through his shed blood. Without Jesus, the heart remains darkened (2 Corinthians 3:14); with him, the eyes of the heart are enlightened. (Ephesians 1:18)
While Jesus walked on the earth, the disciples did not fully “see” the big picture—they were with Jesus, but they were not yet saved by the sacrificial blood of Jesus. (Note: The disciples obviously believed in and followed Jesus, but they were still under the old dispensation (the old covenant) before the new covenant [the new dispensation] because Jesus had not died. Jesus knew this and had compassion on his disciples for they had been with him throughout his ministry. He also foretold them of his death.) So, when the Roman soldiers came to arrest Jesus, his disciples scattered—they did not yet see. And just before his arrest, Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny him thrice that night. Peter however, vehemently denied it, declaring that even if everyone else falls away—even if he had to die, he would not disown Jesus. Jesus’ reply to Peter was, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” (Matthew 26:33-35) That is exactly what happened. In another instance , Peter, John and James had been with Jesus at the Transfiguration. With the glory that engulfed Jesus and the presence of Moses and Elijah, some see this event as a glorious fulfillment of Jesus, the only Begotten and Beloved Son of Father God and a foreshadowing of Jesus’ Resurrection. Matthew 17:2 states that, “There he (Jesus) was transfigured before them (the disciples). His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” They, the disciples, did not “see” and they were frightened. Peter, forever needing to express whatever he was thinking, offered to make three dwellings for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. However, during Peter’s nervous chatter, he was interrupted by Father God who declared, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” I am sure that that thunderous declaration from God left the three disciples even more immobilized because they could not “see.”
After the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to all the disciples and that is when they were saved and received the Holy Spirit. When he appeared in that locked room, they “saw” him; they “saw” his hands and side and believed. He then breathed on them, just as God did to man in Genesis 2:17 and he said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Here is the full text in John 20:19-22:
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
The Pentecost marked the continuation of the disciples’ process of “seeing”; they were baptized by fire, “filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:15-22) Remember: they had already received the Holy Spirit when they believed. (John 20:19-22)
And then there was the conversion of Saul (later known as the Apostle Paul). He was apprehended by the Lord as the light and presence of Holy Spirit engulfed him on the road to Damascus. He was on his way to Damascus with a mandate to persecute the followers of Jesus. Jesus identified himself and Saul recognized him as Lord. He obeyed the Lord’s instructions to seek out Ananias when he reached Damascus. When he got up from the ground, he was blind! Upon reaching Damascus, Saul fasted and prayed for three days. Ananias, on instructions from the Lord, came and prayed that Saul would be filled with the Holy Spirit and that his sight would be restored. (Acts 9). As Ananias prayed Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit and his eyes were open so that he now began to “see.” The conversion was complete.
To be clear, it is Jesus’ crucifixion (death on the cross) that rented the veil into the Holy of Holies and the presence of God and ushered in salvation for those who believe in him. Second Corinthians 3:16 states that turning to the Lord removes the veil and the darkened heart of unbelief. It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Jesus promised, who guides believers in the sanctification and spiritual development process. Through a believer’s spiritual maturation, Jesus is illuminated and his character is developed in their hearts—the believer can then begin to “see” through the eyes of Jesus.
It is up to each person as to where he or she stands in this spiritual developmental process. Are you sold- out for Jesus, with the eyes of your heart enlightened so that you can “see” through his eyes? (Ephesians 1:18) Or are you still dabbling in the things of the world or “straddling the fence?” If you are dabbling and straddling, you must take a stand for Jesus. There is no compromising with the god of this world system (Satan). You must remove every stench of darkness from your heart and serve the Lord wholeheartedly. As for me, “seeing” through the eyes of Jesus is not an option; it is a mandate.
Be blessed my friends.
Note: I feel the Lord has more to say about “‘Seeing’ through the Eyes of Jesus,” so stay tuned to my blog, “Created for Destiny.” (at barbaraboonewooten.com)
Scriptures for Meditation:
Hebrews 4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed the eyes him to whom we must give account.
Luke 6:42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
Ephesians 1:18 Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 3:16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
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