Looking unto Jesus
When the Children of Israel were dying from snakebites in the wilderness. Moses made a brazen serpent and lifted it up before the victims and all who looked at the snake on the pole were healed. Numbers 21:4-9
Jesus referred to this event as a type of Him being lifted up on the cross to take upon Himself the sin and sickness of the world. He was made a curse for us so that those who look to Him and believe might blessed.
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14-15
Both King David in the Old Testament and Paul in the New Testament, encourage us to look to Jesus, for it’s only in Him that we have the answer to all life’s problems. He is the one who can heal us from sin and sickness, as we read in Isaiah 53:4-5. It’s through His death on the cross that we have our sins forgiven, and the path opened up for us to enter into the presence of God by faith.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,” Hebrews 10:19-20
When you pray believe you are there before God, through the curtain, for blessed are those who do not see yet believe. Behold the Lord of glory by faith and you will be changed. It’s not something that happens instantly but gradually, one level at a time. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that we are changed from one level to another by looking upon Him by faith.
“And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.”
Here are some verses that describe the wonder of Jesus to gaze upon, and what He has done for us.
“The Son is the dazzling radiance of God’s splendor, the exact expression of God’s true nature—his mirror image! He holds the universe together and expands it by the mighty power of his spoken word. He accomplished for us the complete cleansing of sins, and then took his seat on the highest throne at the right hand of the majestic One.” Hebrews 1:3
Jesus is seated on a throne with His Father deep in Heaven, but there is more, something amazing that I think we need to understand – to know. The Spirit wants us to know that He is not alone, for He has taken us there with Him.
“Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority!” Colossians 3:1 TPT. We were raised with Christ and are there with Him as we see in the next verse.
“He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!” Ephesians 2:6 TPT. We are seated with Him there on His throne.
“And since we are his true children, we qualify to share all his treasures, for indeed, we are heirs of God himself. And since we are joined to Christ, we also inherit all that he is and all that he has. We will experience being co-glorified with him provided that we accept his sufferings as our own.” Romans 8:17 TPT
When we believed that our sins were forgiven we were placed in Christ and given all that He is and all that He has. How amazing is that? Because we are in Him we are blessed with all that He is blessed with. Jesus wants us to know this truth, for He said before He died on the cross;
“So when that day comes, you will know that I am living in the Father and that you are one with me, for I will be living in you.” John 14:20 TPT
We need to have our spiritual eyes opened to see what He has done for us through His death, burial and resurrection. This is called knowing Him. Paul often refers to the need of knowing Jesus and all that He has done for us. Its faith in His word that helps us overcome this world and not through any effort of our own. Faith is a gift that has been given to us by God, and it’s the power that enables us to overcome the world.
“You see, every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world.” 1 John 5:4 TPT
Many Christians don’t understand this glorious truth that they are seated in Heavenly Places with Christ and that all He is and all that He has is now ours. The Devil is under our feet. Being ignorant to the fact doesn’t stop you from going to Heaven but it hinders your walk down here on earth. When you overcome the world by faith by loving the unseen, you can then reign in life. If you don’t see your position in Christ, the world will have a lot of negative influence over your life. Jesus has done this all for us, but we need to know it in order for it to be a reality in our lives.
“And to the one who conquers I will give the privilege of sitting with me on my throne, just as I conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Revelation 3:21 TPT
I believe this is the way forward for the Church and understanding this truth will enable us to do the greater works that Jesus spoke of in John 14:12.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Knowing that Jesus has gone to be with the Father and that we are in Him, has a profound effect on the way we think and live. We need to think on these things. Paul said to the Colossians.
“Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.” Colossians 3:2 TPT