Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.
-Psalm 27:4, MSG

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. -2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV

As millions across the world observe Holy Week in their own way, I’m reminded once again of how important it is to turn our eyes upon Jesus.

Many of us know and can sing the old hymn by heart: 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.

I remember as a little girl, my sweet Mama would sing this song over me when I was afraid. In my immaturity and lack of understanding, I remember initially thinking, “What good is looking at Jesus going to do right now? I’m scared. I’m in pain. I need real solutions.”

It wasn’t until I got to know the real Jesus as a person and not just as a symbol that I understood the true power of locking eyes with Him.

C.S. Lewis once said: “I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?”

He is the answer to every question we have and the provision for every trial we face.

When we turn our eyes upon Jesus — when we gaze upon his birth, life, death and resurrection — we are reminded of the truth. That His love is patient and kind — always rejoicing with the truth, always protecting, always trusting, always hoping and always persevering. That it is already finished. That we have been set free. That we are children of God who have been made worthy to receive a glorious inheritance of love, forgiveness, righteousness, joy, peace, healing and provision through Him who paid our ransom. That He has won the victory for us. That He is interceding and fighting for us always. That He will never forsake or give up on us. That His blood made a better way.

But beyond all of these things, when we gaze into our Savior’s eyes, we are reminded of who He is. He is love. He is beautiful. He is radiant. He is glorious. He is the Prince of Peace. He is Almighty God — God with us. He is full of grace and truth. He is better than we think He is.

One look of seeing Jesus rightly has the power to take our breath away and bring us to our knees. One look of seeing Jesus rightly — not just for who He is for us, but just who He is at the very core of His nature — has the power to transform us completely (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).

My prayer this week is that we would turn away from looking at the chaos of the world or the seemingly impossible circumstances that we are facing in our lives and choose instead to gaze upon His beauty. Stop the scroll, shut off your phone and get alone with Jesus. Remember his birth, life, death and resurrection. Remember who He is and what He has done with a grateful heart. Because He is the same yesterday, today and forever, as you look at Him, you can also give Him thanks for who He will continue to be for you and what He is going to do in your life.

May you be undone by the wonder of all that He is as you turn your eyes upon Jesus this week.