Looking at the Son

WARNING: NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT SPECIAL EYE PROTECTION. 

Protect your eyes from solar radiation. 

This product is not a toy, etc.  

I decided to try them out, poking my head through the Velux window to look at our star. Yes, we occasionally see the sun in northern England. There it was- a perfect-looking circle of light, the sun’s corona (the word once had a better meaning). Whilst wearing the shades, I noted that nothing else whatsoever was visible. So dark are the thin plastic lenses that allow solar observation that nothing else can be seen.

At last week’s Bible Study, we had some discussion about seeing God. Exodus 33, from verse 20, begins:

But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

So awesome was God’s dazzling facial brilliance, Moses’ eyes would not bear the sight. Neither could his sinful nature dare present itself before such intensive holiness. Two New Testament writers liken the glorified Christ to our blazing star:

There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:2

In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Revelation 1:16

Yet Revelation 22:4 says of the redeemed citizenry of New Jerusalem

They will see his face

How will we bear the sight of such intensely refulgent splendour? I can only imagine that our resurrection body’s eyes will be miraculously equipped to tolerate such incredible radiance. Maybe, like the flying seraphim of Isaiah 6, we will have to look away or cover our eyes from time to time. Perhaps then, unlike now, Christ is all we shall see. Too often I find myself viewing other things, casting furtive glances at other lovers, sneaky peeks at other gods. I’ll not see Christ unless I can discount His rivals and ignore my distractions. Would that I possessed some Eclipse Shades that blot out all but my Saviour. But I have! This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit within each believer: to illuminate Christ, and veil everything else.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in his wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace

-Helen Lemmel