July 15

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. — Heb 2:9 BSB

Have your eyes ever seen him? Look into your conscience—have you ever seen Jesus? I’m not talking about your physical eyes, but the eye of faith, the eye of your soul. If you’ve ever truly seen Jesus, I can tell you what you’ve felt. Your heart softened and melted, your affections were drawn heavenward, your soul filled with thankfulness and praise, your conscience cleansed by his atoning blood, and your mind lifted above earthly things, resting in the embrace of Immanuel. Do you think you’ve seen Jesus by the eye of faith? If so, you have seen the perfection of beauty, the very essence of pure loveliness. You’ve seen the image of the invisible God, all the attributes and glorious character of the Godhead shining forth in him who was nailed to Calvary’s cross.

A sight like that must melt even the hardest heart and bring tears to the driest eyes. To see, by faith, the beauty and glory of the only-begotten Son of God kindles the warmest, holiest affections. These feelings may not last long—often they are brief. The world, sin, temptation, and unbelief quickly creep back in. But while the experience lasts, it leaves a profound impact.

If you have ever seen Jesus by the eye of faith and felt your heart’s affection stirred toward him, then you will see him in glory. But if you have never seen him in grace, you will never see him in glory. You will never see him face to face in eternal bliss unless you have seen him now, by the faith that God gives to his elect.