THE DAY I SAW JESUS…

JOHN 1:29-34: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.” I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.“ I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.“ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Do you remember the first day you saw Jesus? I don’t mean in a vision or standing before you. I am referring to the first time you “saw” Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Take a moment to ponder and think about that day. It is important to keep that day close to your heart at all times.

I love this account in the Gospel of John which records the first time John the Baptist “saw” Jesus. This was not the first time John met Jesus. John was a relative of Jesus. Mary visited Elizabeth when they were both expecting. Although the Scriptures do not record it one can assume that they grew up together as a family. Perhaps Jesus and John were in the same company when Jesus was a young boy traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover.

John had received his calling to proclaim the coming of Messiah from his mother’s womb. As he began his ministry he proclaimed the need to repent and prepare one’s heart for the coming of Messiah. John did not know who that would be. He was simply being obedient to God in fulfilling his calling. He knew that he was not the Messiah and waited eagerly to see him –

Until that day!

I remember going to church from the time I was a small child. As I grew up I went to Sunday School, attended a parochial school, attended chapel each Wednesday and church every Sunday. I heard about Jesus, saw pictures of Jesus, was taught about Jesus. Yet, I had never really seen Jesus. I believed but my eyes were still darkened and Jesus was more of a concept than a reality.

Until that day!

Imagine the wonder that filled John’s heart as he looked up, saw his cousin Jesus approaching, and did a double-take. Can you imagine the astonishment when John did not see his cousin – but the Holy Spirit revealed to him who Jesus really was? The words that flowed from John’s mouth were not his own. They were the words of the Holy Spirit flowing from John’s revelation.

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

I will never forget the day I saw Jesus. I was struggling as a young adult, fresh out of High School, working a good job, going to college, and living in my own apartment. I had everything I thought would make me happy. Yet, deep inside, I was lost, depressed, and searching for something more. I did not know what it was…

Until that day!

I will never forget the day I walked into this “Jesus People” church. It was during the Jesus Revolution and a girl I was interested in invited me to church. I was not interested in church but this was the only way I could connect with this girl. I went, sat in the very back, and watched a group of young people who were lifting their hands, singing, weeping, and experiencing something I could not understand.

Like John, I was astonished. I thought religion was something you believed rather than experienced. I saw people who looked like they were talking to someone rather than just hearing about someone. To be honest, this freaked me out and I left before the service was over. I struggled with this experience. I wondered what they had that I did not have. I believed in Jesus, so I thought. Yet, I could not seek Him.

Until that day!

I was alone in my apartment, at the height of my personal crisis and searching. I cried out to God – if You are real please take over my life. Let me see You! Let me know You! And, like John, my spiritual eyes were opened.

I saw Jesus!

No longer was Jesus a concept, a story, a historical figure, or a religion. I saw Jesus as my Savior, my Lord, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Savior who takes away my sin! What I saw in my heart was so real it was as if Jesus was standing right in front of me. Wherever I went – I saw Jesus! He was in my heart, in my life, and in my mind.

It is important to remember this important day in our life. The day when we saw Jesus for the very first time. Like John, we need to not only remember it, we need to declare it to everyone we know and love. There are so many today who are walking in the darkness of depression, brokenness, and sin. They need to see Jesus. They need to see Him as their personal Savior and Lord.

When I was closer to that wonderful day I was also bolder to share my experience. The further from that day I became the less I found myself sharing my faith with others. This is why I need to remember that day, revisit that day, and be renewed in the faith that set me free. David cried out to God with this prayer in Psalm 51.

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” (Psa 51:12-13 NKJV)

Lord, restore to me the joy of Your salvation. The day when You opened my eyes to see You as my personal Savior and Lord. Fill my heart with the same wonder that I had that day. Give me a burning desire to share this day with others. Like John, let me proclaim…

“This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.” I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.“ I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.“ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

Until that day!

In Jesus’ Name!