A Change of Perspective

 

One doesn’t have to have a phD in order to properly understand differing perspective. In my line of work, it is a must. To do my work well, I have to look over a vehicle from every possible angle. I’ve got to examine the paint from this vantage point and that. I back away. I move in close. I kneel.

 

What I’ve called the “50 foot effect” for the last twenty five years properly explains the presumed condition of a vehicle from 50 feet away. Many cars look incredible when this far off. However, close examination reveals paint flaws such as swirls, scratches or oxidation. These conditions are simply not seen from far away. You must change your perspective in order to see the entirety of the vehicle.

 

Now let’s move into some spiritual thought, shall we? Let me jump right over into another lane entirely. Take a moment of introspection and attempt to remember the Jesus that you first understood and believed in (if you have.) Perhaps it was when you were a child. Maybe it was even forty-some years ago, like me. Who was He… to you… then?

 

He was likely the sinless, suffering Saviour that died a horrible death on a cross for you, the wretched sinner. You owed Him something and your “asking Him into your heart” was likely viewed as some sort of payment for that debt. So fast forward to right now. As I type this is it May 11, 2023. From your perspective, Who is Jesus to you right now? As you spiritually gaze upon Him, Who is He? OK, so here’s another question – how has He changed over the years? Of course, He has not changed but to you, how do you simply see Him differently? Perhaps I should ask this instead. You do see Him differently now… right?

 

You see, we’re called to become sanctified into the likeness of our Messiah. As we age and mature, we should be advancing our understanding of Who this Messiah- man was, is and forever will be. Sadly, the more people I talk to about Who Jesus is, the more I find that well into their latter years, He is little different to them now than He was at the beginning. A sinless God-man that died a cruel death… for me. The end.

 

So here is my humble challenge. Update your perspective of your Messiah. Study the endless foretelling’s of Him in the Torah and Prophets. Look for Him from new angles. Move around a bit and be willing to change your perspective. Look for Him to be a bit different than what you inherited ten, twenty… fifty years ago. It’s OK. You just might see a Saviour that looks vastly different than the last time you peered into His character and function (or perhaps you never really have.)

 

Several years ago, after a lifetime of “knowing Jesus”, I ventured out into the entire Word to discover my Messiah from a new perspective. I chose to risk “losing” what I had always known in order to know Him more, from biblical perspectives that I had never heard of before. Now I regularly see more and more facets and functions of Him that I had simply never seen before. I see the full Gospel (why He came.) I see His Great High Priestly position. I know why He was named Yeshua. My view of Him has grown immensely as I intimately know Him so much more than I did only four years ago.

 

Although yet still only in limited measure, I’m seeing Him from new angles, with ever-changing perspective. He continues to be enlarged greater and greater - rightly magnified and exalted as the incredible Mediator Messiah Who presents me to the Father. Oh, He is so much more than just the sinless Saviour! Perhaps you too, friend, will consider reexamining your beliefs towards the Son of Elohim (God). Who is He to you today and, over the years, how has He changed in your eyes?  His wonderful attributes know no bounds. Selah. - J

* This is now in video format HERE.