Most Christians associate these words with those of Mary Magdalene after she had been to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. She, and at least 3 other women, were there to anoint His body. Once they went and told the disciples that someone had stolen His body, Peter and John had to see for themselves. After they saw the empty tomb, they left the tomb and went back to their homes. They were not sure what had happened. However, Mary stays at the tomb and is weeping when Jesus appears to her. The account of this is John 20:16-18. I can’t imagine the joy and peace that Mary must have felt when she saw Jesus. It was such a life-changing event. She was so impacted that she had to run and tell the disciples that she had seen Him, and He was alive.
Mark 16:1 “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.”
Luke 24:10 “It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.”
John 20:16-18 “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had spoken these things unto her.”
Today we do not have the Savior walking and talking in a visible body, but we can see Him with the eyes of our heart. As we seek Him, we can have an intimate fellowship with Him. We are a spiritual being and we were created to have a deep fellowship with God.
In II Corinthians chapter 6, we are taught that we are to be people that are separated from this world. We must live in it to be a witness, but we are not to be of this world. Why? Because once we have repented and received Jesus by faith as our Master, His Spirit comes to dwell within us.
II Corinthians 6:16 “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
In John 14:23 we are assured that He will abide in those who love Him and keep His commands.
John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
We must learn to see Jesus with our spiritual senses. When we do, the intimacy will become greater as we worship, pray, and study. As we draw closer to Him, we will be keenly aware of His presence. Each time we feel the nudge of the Spirit to witness, to help someone, to pray for someone, and obey the “nudge,” we will see Him.
We must put every thought aside when we are seeking Jesus. We are to worship Him in Spirit and truth. This worship is opposed to the pomp and ceremonies that we are accustomed too, where everything must be perfect. We are to engage our mind, soul, and heart in our worship. Our sole desire should be to magnify and glorify Him and Him alone. The next time you are in church, forget about who is beside you, or what you may sound like. Sing from your heart and truly worship. As you read the words, let them come alive to you. Why should we worship this way? Because God desires it. He wants to be real and ever-present with us. He is always there, but sometimes we treat Him like an unwanted house guest, they are there but they have no impact on us.
John 4:23-24 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
As I imagine the reaction of those that saw Jesus after His resurrection, I get excited because I know that one day, I will see Him face to face. No longer will I need to depend on what I can feel or what I can see with my spiritual eyes. I will be able to see Him, to touch Him, and to physically know Him for all eternity. The thought of being able to sit and express my love to Him face to face brings tears to my eyes. But until then, I must seek to know Him in an intimate way, to see Him through my spiritual eyes so that I can seek to be like Him. My desire is that others will see Him through me, and seek to know Him for themselves. One day I will be able to proclaim as Stephen did when they were stoning Him, I see Jesus! Yet, it would be even better if I live until He returns. If so, I will see Him coming in the clouds, and I will join Him. As I write this my heart is full and I look to the clouds for His appearing. Oh, what a day that will be!
Mark 14:62 “And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
Have you seen Him? If not, then why not today!
