Seeing Jesus More Clearly

Thursday, 6/16/2011

Reading: Mark 4:21-25

Reflection: I'm sitting in my house, in my normal chair...the girls call it my chair...and reading these few verses in Mark. I'm able to read because of the small lamp that I turned on as I sat down. That light helps me to see, and sometimes even understand, the text that sits before me. Often, however, I find that I don't really understand as much as I think. Much of the gospel escapes me. I read it. I treasure it. I desire to live it. But often times I am certain that there is much more to the story than I fully understand. Now, that could frustrate me...or inspire me. I could choose to give up, or choose to press on until the Spirit gives insight. I choose to press on. So, I come to the lesson this morning...and I wonder. What is the light to which Mark refers? Is it truth? Is it the teachings of Jesus? Is it the inbreaking Kingdom? Well, I'll admit, I'm not sure. So, I cheated. I looked at my commentary for some suggestions. And there the author in the commentary notes that He believes that the light is Jesus Himself. He has not come to remain hidden forever, but to reveal His glory at the proper time. However, for now, much of that glory is hidden, so that those who are gathered around him must listen carefully with great spiritual perception. Now, I don't know if the author of the commentary is right...but what he says makes some sense to me. I don't have a handle on Jesus yet. It seems strange to admit that after so many years of following Him. But it is true. Jesus still surprises me. So, my goal is to seek to remain willing to learn and spiritually discerning as I study His gospel. As the light begins to dawn on me, as I begin to see more and more, my hope is not to be more knowledgable about Jesus, but more in love with Jesus. Seeing Jesus more clearly, I want to love Him more fully.