The following question was emailed to me: "What does Jesus really look like? Do I see in my heart 'the picture of Jesus' drawn by the artist, but that is the artist’s impression of Jesus. Is there anyone who really knows what Jesus literally looks like? Or can I imagine Jesus as a cross that is shining with light, or a very bright light shining down from the skies, or a bright shining silhouette of a man? If I picture Jesus as the Lion of Judah and I use images of a lion from a Christian website, am I not making those website images as idols? Kindly clarify, thank you."

 

 

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Great question! As a reminder, the New Testament does say, "Fixing our eyes on Jesus" (Heb. 12:2), and "Behold I am with you always" (Matt. 28:20 NKJV). It goes on to say that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15). This means that when I see Jesus, He is showing me God in action. Cool!

So how do I work out this whole idea of beholding Jesus, of fixing my eyes on Jesus?

I can imagine Gospel stories as I read them. One of the definitions of "meditate" is to imagine (Josh. 1:8). The vast majority of people do imagine Gospel scenes with Jesus and the disciples as they read the Gospels.  

In addition to imagining these Bible stories, I can see myself in the story as one of the characters, and pray 'that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give me a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened' (see Eph. 1:17,18).

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17-18).

I then tune to flowing pictures and flowing thoughts (Jn. 7:37-39), and the Spirit takes over the scene in my mind, and I see Jesus moving and gesturing and speaking to me. I have just stepped from a godly imagination into a flowing vision from God. As I watch and listen to Jesus and come into agreement by saying “Yes, Lord,” I am transformed into His likeness. What I am seeing in the spirit world, I have taken on and become. I represent Jesus in action here in this world.

Jesus is always much more loving, kind, and insightful than I am. Thus, I am changed as I behold Him and take on what He is speaking and doing. I am functioning as a part of the body of Christ here on the earth. The world gets to see Jesus through me, living out what I see Jesus doing.

Lord, grant me faith to believe the flow within me is the River of Your Holy Spirit!

Journaling questions

  • Lord, what would You speak to me about presenting the eyes of my heart to You so I can see Your visions and dream Your dreams?
  • How, where, and when do You want me to see You?

Hearing God's voice is as simple as: 1) quieting down (Ps. 62:1-5), 2) beholding Jesus at my right hand (Ps. 16:8; Acts 2:25), 3) asking for His revelation and tuning to flowing thoughts and flowing pictures (Jn. 7:37-39; Jer. 2:13; 10 pictures), and 4) recording this flow (Hab. 2:1,2; Rev. 1:9-11). I then test it, ensuring it lines up with Scripture (Ps. 1:2; Jn. 10:35; 1 Thess. 5:2) and is affirmed in the hearts of my three spiritual advisors (2 Cor. 13:1; Prov. 11:14). See this link.

Dig deeper

  1. Biblical Meditation Involves Imagination!
  2. Perfect peace when your imagination is...
  3. How to Meditate on Scripture & Receive Life-Transforming Revelation
  4. What Does the Bible Teach about Visualization?
  5. You Can See Visions! They Are a Pathway to God
  6. Poised Before Almighty God
  7. Lord, When Is “Priming the Pump” Acceptable and Unacceptable?

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