How do you see Jesus? What is your perception of his personality and his looks? I'm sure every person has thoughts about theses things in fact there's even a song that says, "Some children see Him lily white with tresses soft and fair. Some see Him bronzed and brown, with dark and heavy hair. Some, almond-eyed with skin of yellow hue. The children in each different place will see the baby Jesus face like theirs."
Each person will see the Lord as someone they can relate to yet we find only one physical description of Jesus in the Bible. That's in Revelation 1, where the Apostle John has a vision of the Lord in his glorified state. When I ask how do you see Jesus, I don't mean so much his physical being, but his nature.
Philippians 2:5-8, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross."
That Scripture says believers should have the same mindset as the Lord. But what is his mindset? As we consider this passage, we see a great picture of the nature and being of Jesus Christ.
First Jesus is divine. Throughout Scripture we find that Jesus is from heaven. The Bible says he created all things, and without him nothing was made. The Bible shows Jesus as supreme over nature, the laws of physics and death. The divinity of Jesus Christ is seen when people worshiped him and he willingly received their worship. The Christian's mindset must begin with knowing that Jesus is divine and we are not.
Second we see how he presented himself. He made himself nothing, but came serving.
In Mark 10:45, Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
When Jesus took human form, although he could have demanded to be served, he understood his mission and came serving others. Giving his life as the atoning sacrifice for sin is what separates mankind from God.
Finally, that is where we end, this nature of Jesus was that of one who offered himself for others. No greater love is seen then someone who lays down their life for someone else. That is exactly what Jesus did, so the attitude of the believe is to reflect that. Having gratitude for his sacrifice and showing it by serving others.
How do you view Jesus? Far off and not concerned? Pious and untouchable? If that is the case I encourage you to consider one of his most telling statements.
Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
All who are burdened he gives rest, he is gentle and humble, the burden to bear the sins of the world, he considered light. Have you come to him today? If God is calling you during these interesting days, I encourage you to call on the Lord in prayer then go to church and worship the one who died for you.
n Pastor Rich Lammay of High Sierra Fellowship is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.
