“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).
Dear loving Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for being willing to be “lifted up” upon the cross of Calvary! You chose our death, that we might receive Your life! Please help us never to forget the cost of Your love for us! Help us to proclaim this love to the world, that they too might get a glimpse of the Savior! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
When I was a young girl attending MV (Missisonary Volunteer) meetings at church, we sang a little chorus that has the title of our devotional for today.
“What the world needs is Jesus, just a glimpse of Him; What the world needs is Jesus, just a glimpse of Him. He will bring joy and gladness, take away sin and sadness; What the world needs is Jesus, just a glimpse of Him” (The Cyber Hymnal #5308).
As we look all around us, and listen to the news, both local and worldwide, it is evident that our world is in need of something more than money or politics. It appears as if we have too much of both, but we are worse off than ever before.
That is nothing new! The wise man Solomon, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote: “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
But while there is nothing new, there is something missing in the lives of many today. a glimpse of Jesus! Is there something we can do to remedy this?
Shortly before Jesus was crucified, some Greeks felt the need to see Jesus. They had no doubt heard about Him, but now they wanted to see Him (John 12:21). Because seeing, for many, is believing. Thomas, a disciple of Jesus, is a prime example:
“Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘ “We have seen the Lord.” ‘ So he said to them, ‘ “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” ‘ ” ‘ ” (John 20:24, 25).
We call him,”Unbelieving Thomas.” But before we judge him too harshly, let us see how this chapter in his story ends:
“And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘ “Peace to you!” ‘ Then He said to Thomas, ‘ “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” ‘ And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘ “My Lord and my God” ‘ ” ‘ ” ‘ ” (vv. 26-28)!
Thomas has now seen the risen Christ. Now he knows that He is the Savior of the world, but more importantly, now he has also become the Lord of Thomas’ life, and his God! In the life of believers and nonbelievers seeing can play a very important part. The journey of the believer is both by faith, and, by sight.
Therefore, Jesus also had this to say, ‘ “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” ‘ “(v.29).
So let us make it easier for others to believe, by helping them to get a glimpse of Jesus and His love, in us!