Dive Deeper

 “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:4-7

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:13-20

          Can you see him? The tiny form of a newborn baby cradled in his mother’s arms: two brown little arms and two brown little legs swaddled tightly in the cloths his mama saved just for this moment; a little pink mouth already opening and closing as he voices his needs in small and big cries - and also as he learns to drink of the life-giving milk his mother provides; dark hair already showing or maybe still waiting to appear on his naked little head; and two tiny little dark eyes that squint open for just a moment, taking in little beams of light for the first time.

          Jesus: The Savior of every man, woman, and child, come as a little baby. Human in every way possible and yet with divinity flowing through his veins and into every cell. 

          It will take a few weeks before his eyes will start to recognize the faces of his earthly father and mother. By then, his mother will have gazed into his eyes countless times herself as she learns and memorizes the array of expressions coming from his face. 

          As he grows, his eyes not only recognize his mother in an instant, but also seek her and find safety, security, comfort, play and his needs met as his mother’s own gaze meets his, and she moves towards him. As her eyes find his, she pauses a moment, treasuring up the delight he brings her as she ponders the place that her son will have in eternity.  

          It will not be too long before the roles will start to reverse… before she will find her eyes seeking out his for security, peace, and comfort where he once looked for hers. It will not be long before he will be the one to move towards her with tenderness in his own eyes as he reassures her that her needs will be met and of the delight that he and his Father find in her. Even as he approached death on the cross, his eyes sought her out:

          “when Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:25-27

         It is these same steady, strong, sure eyes that are gazing on each of us with immense love and delight, as well. It is these same eyes that we can turn our own gaze to and find deep, satisfying peace, even when dark storms of confusion, chaos and pain cloud our own world. And it is most assuredly these eyes that will have us captivated as we see our precious Jesus face to face someday…

          “When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.” Revelation 1:12-16

          Oh, Jesus, we gaze on your beauty and wonder, we look deep into your eyes, and we find the deep security, reassurance, comfort, and peace that can only be found in you. We sit at your feet, rest in your presence, and lift up our own songs of praise and worship for you: the only worthy one, our King Jesus. Open our eyes to Truth as we seek you in each page of your Word, longing to see you clearly. 

Questions for Reflection

1. What do you feel when you look into the eyes of another person? Imagine then what it would feel like to look into the eyes of Jesus. 

2. What situation(s) in your life do you spend a lot of time looking at oneself rather than looking to Jesus in? Look to Jesus in these situations and ask Him to show you how He would use it, not why He would use it.

3. Pray the prayer at the end of this dive deeper 3 times to allow it to sink in.