Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

SEEING JESUS FIRST OF ALL

This entry was posted on 05-13-2009 and is filed under HEAVEN.

Who will we see first in heaven? My guess is that it will be the One who made it all possible, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Hebrews 12:3 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." When you are running a race it is important to keep your eyes on the prize, the finish line, especially when we come down the home stretch. Jesus kept "the joy set before him" in his vision. That's why He could endure the cross and despise its shame. We all have a cross to bear. We can all endure that cross and despise its shame by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Make Jesus the focus of your faith. Keep the throne of God, the finish line, in your spiritual vision.

When Stephen was being stoned to death for his witness for Christ, "he looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). Jesus is vitally interested in the spiritual welfare of our souls. Stephen's ordeal brought Jesus up out of His seat. It is as though He was standing on the brink of heaven, encouraging Stephen to be faithful unto death. This must have encouraged Stephen for he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59). A few minutes later, after praying for his persecutors (just like Jesus did on the cross), Stephen died and his spirit was received into heaven by the waiting and watching Christ. No doubt we will be met at the gates of heaven, not by Peter, but by the One who died for us all.

Hymn: "When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide, when the bright and glorious morning I shall see; I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, and His smile will be the first to welcome me. I shall know Him, as redeemed by His side I shall stand; I shall know Him, by the print of the nails in His hand" (Fanny J. Crosby)