As we follow the journeys of the disciples as they follow Jesus, we realize quickly we are much like them. Like them, we live in physical bodies in a physical world. We know how things operate, how to make our way in the world (more or less), how to interact with people around us to make and sustain community. These immediate realities have a powerful, grounding impact familiar to us. At the same time, these present realities pose a problem when we’re confronted with circumstances outside the norm. It’s like there are theater curtains drawn closed in front of our eyes – fine for all things proceeding as expected, but a barrier for the ‘other.’
Picture the twelve men following Jesus with their ‘drawn curtains’ routinely in place. It’s like every time Jesus did a miracle (something ‘other’), those draperies got yanked open for a few seconds before closing again. And each time, the men were shocked and disbelieving. So, each healing, each deliverance, each raising of the dead, each miraculous feeding, each storm instantaneously calmed, etc., was another pulling back of the curtains, forcefully providing them a glimpse into a totally ‘other’ reality. These ‘curtains’ are what cause us to be able to read Bible stories without so much as raising an eyebrow, with no quickening of our heartbeat, not even a frisson.
Some sixty years after Jesus’ earthly sojourn, the Apostle John, while exiled on Patmos, was privileged to be caught up in a heavenly vision. When he turned to see who was speaking to him, he was totally caught off guard, seeing Jesus as he’d never seen him before, as the now risen and glorified Christ! So stunned was he at what he saw that he fell on his face as though dead! Our lives of dedicated worship today are for this glorified Christ, no less intimidatingly radiant than when John saw him. The very thought of seeing Jesus as he now is, stirs profound joy in the core of our being!
Not only was the glorious (‘other’) vision of God relegated to the New Testament and to Jesus. But seven centuries before, the prophet Isaiah, too, saw One like this: “I clearly saw the Lord. He was seated on his exalted throne, towering high above me. His long, flowing robe of splendor spread throughout the temple. Standing above him were the angels of flaming fire . . . And one called out to another, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, Commander of Angel Armies!’ The whole earth is filled with his glory!’ The thunderous voice of the fiery angels caused the foundations of the thresholds to tremble as the cloud of glory filled the temple.”Isa. 6:1-4, TPT.
I’m getting it, slowly. As Psalm 113:4,5, TPT, has it translated: “For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high?”Another question, equally pertinent, I think, is: Who could have the great honor to even worship a God of such majesty? You and I! We’ve been qualified by the blood of Jesus to join with the heavenly chorus! Looking forward to seeing all you worshiping saints tomorrow, 10 AM, 3 PM, 4 PM. PD
