A Picture of Jesus

A question was posed to me yesterday that has had me thinking since then. The discussion revolved around Daniel 10 and prayer. While Daniel was praying, he saw a vision of a man so glorious, so majestic, that it made him fall prostrate and fall asleep. Soon after, the hand of an angel woke him and gave him the strength to stand. Many scholars believe that first vision was a heavenly-arrayed Gabriel. But the idea was also posed that maybe, just maybe, it was a preincarnate appearance of Jesus Himself.

After looking it over and thinking about it, I think I might agree. Looking through Scripture, there have been very few other visions or appearances to make a man react this way. Ezekiel fell when he saw what could only be a vision of Christ. Wasn't it Moses who could only look at God's feet? Saul fell in the middle of the road when God's light and voice came from heaven. When God makes Himself/His Son visible to man, it is too much for them to withstand.

Then the question was asked. "Have you ever thought about how you'd react if Jesus suddenly appeared to you while you were praying? How do you picture your reaction?"

I admitted that I have never given that any thought. But it did get me thinking then. How do I picture Jesus?

Is He the gentle figure in a white robe and blue sash from Sunday School?

Is He the Risen Savior, gloriously new, with scars in His feet and hands?

Is He an obscure Helper, giving us daily strength from where He sits enthroned in the heavenlies?

Is He the forgiving and gracious One, sitting down to dinner with taxpayers and sinners, making it logical that He would commune with me?

Is He beaten and bruised, carrying His own fate on His shoulders?

Is He still hanging on that cross, looking up to His Father with a question on His heart?

Is He the stranger down the street that you just showed kindness to?

Is He present in your home everyday, a welcome guest at every meal?

Or is He so bright and majestic in stature that the very thought of Him coming around the corner would be enough to make us fall into a coma?

Your background may determine how you physically picture Jesus today. Some religions choose to crucify Him again every Sunday, so you may have no choice but to see Him still on that cross. Some are so ingrained in their childhood church days that Jesus is never pictured without the dark hair and blue sash.

But regardless of how you were trained to see Him as a child, He is your Savior today. He is all of these things and more. He is "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Fater, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." (Isa. 9:6)

That same man who hung on that cross, calling out to His Father for relief, is the very same One who rose three days later to prove His love for you. See Him how you must. But see Him. Feel His presence every day and know that He is near to you, guiding you, loving you, and promising that He will never leave.