Seen
Genesis 16:13 She answered GOD by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, “You’re the God who sees me!” “Yes! He saw me; and then I saw him!”
It’s a bit like those one-way mirrors that are so often used in cop shows or movies where someone is being interrogated or chosen from a lineup. Everyone in that room is being observed behind the one-way glass without being able to see those who are watching their every move and hearing their every comment. Most of the time the seasoned criminal or perceptive suspect will be aware that they’re being observed, but sometimes it can be rather amusing when a person in the room isn’t aware of the watching eyes. A recent “Mr. Bean” movie had a hilarious scene where Mr. Bean goes through all kinds of foolish antics, thinking that he’s just doing them in front of a mirror.
The whole world could be seen as that room, where all of creation is being clearly observed by our Creator. Every movement and every word spoken is seen and heard and even the imaginations and intents of the heart are known by Him. Many are aware of His eyes upon them, but by the way most act there seems to be little understanding or at least little care that any of their behaviors are observed, especially by the Holy God of judgment.
There is something incredible that takes place, though, when, like Hagar who thought she was all alone out in the wilderness, there is an opportunity to see the One who has seen us all along. For Moses, Abraham, Saul (Paul), and for everyone who goes beyond just being observed to actually observing and beholding the God of mercy and grace, a total transformation is inevitable. Basically the same person as before, what changes is who they’ve seen. The young slave girl, Hagar, who could have totally despaired for living was given hope, purpose, confidence and security when she got to see beyond the one-way glass and know that God knew and cared about what she was going through. Her significance and purpose didn’t come through seeing her own depraved reflection, but it came from the sight of her God- powerful, mighty, and ready to save.
There is an opportunity for each of us in the observance room to behold our Beholder and be transformed by the sight, and the opportunity is an ongoing and ever expanding one. In worship and through His word there is an ever accessible entrance into that place where He is revealed as who He wants to be in us. This was Jesus continual passion- to behold His Father and discover Himself in what He saw there.
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
Because this was the occupation of His life, seeing His Father and living according to what He saw, it was His proclamation that seeing Him was the same as seeing His Father:
Joh 14:9 … he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
More than just the reality of who He was from birth, what made Jesus able to live the perfect life and fulfill His purpose wasn’t a fixed gaze upon Himself, but an unaltered focus on His Father. For Him to be a legitimate sacrifice He would have to fully become human. It was the sight of His Father that would equip and enable Him to be raised from His natural human state to the supernatural realm of His heavenly heritage.
He’s available for viewing today in a way like never before. A passion to see Him will bring about the discovery of His image through His word and a heart lifted up to Him in a honoring worship. It will have nothing to do with how we look or our human qualifications of any kind, but it will have everything to do with the incredible sight of the one and only God who loves and cares for us unconditionally. May He be seen in great clarity today and may we be transformed by the sight!
