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Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?" (John 6:5)
It is always exciting to suddenly uncover yet another amazing link, a vein of extreme value that if followed can lead one into reservoirs of rich discoveries. Many times the entryway into these secret passageways look so unassuming, so innocuous that they are easily overlooked. But the Spirit is always waiting for anyone to come along with enough openness who is listening and desiring to be led by the Spirit and He is eager to introduce them to resources of real wealth if they are willing to be led.
I do not say that arrogantly I hope. It is just that I have learned over the years, and particularly since I started practicing inductive Bible study, that there is no end to the richness of the Word. It is like an inexhaustible labyrinth of amazing intricacies revealing beauties that may have long lay dormant for lack of people willing to choose the road less traveled.
I am not saying that one should try to compile unique and strange interpretations of Scripture just for the sake of being different. That is likely a counterfeit that can keep people from knowing reality as God views it. What I am referring to here is that the Bible is full of reinforcing insights to enhance the true picture of God and the perfection of His beauty and righteousness for those who come to it seeking to know the real truth about Him. The Spirit has been given to us for this very purpose, but it is our choice whether we will allow His Spirit to do the work He was sent to do in our minds and hearts.
This morning as I opened the Word and reviewed again the passage I am studying, I was directed to this phrase about Jesus lifting up His eyes and seeing. I remember that I have read this other places and became curious about any possible connections, though at first I couldn't think of anything significant. But I have learned to allow room for the Spirit to introduce me to such things as I study so I did a phrase search in the New Testament to see what might show up. What I began to find continues to expand and become more and more exciting to me. And all of it is right here in the book of John.
First of all, the previous time a similar phrase was used is not far back in this book. When Jesus was talking to His disciples in the story of the woman from Sychar He told them that they needed to lift up their eyes and begin looking at life in a different way than they were used to seeing. I see great significance in that for me as well. I need to see things from God's perspective much more than I do just as the disciples needed to do. Just like them, I have far too many prejudices and built-in traditions that blind me to what is obvious to the rest of heaven's inhabitants. As a child of God I need to learn to view reality the way God sees it, not the way I have typically looked at it in the past.
"Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together." (John 4:35-36)
After looking at the other references to this phrase I also noticed some other key words and phrases that seem to link them all together in a most fascinating way. Not only does Jesus talk about seeing reality and others around us very differently, but embedded in these passages are references to eternal life closely connected with joy and being together with each other and God. All of these concepts seem closely tied together in some very instructive and significant ways.
Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
...all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.
But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves." (John 17:1-3,5,10-11,13)
There are so many powerful implications in these passages that I can hardly begin to unpack them all very far right now. But anyone who understands the true definition of joy as I have learned it over the past few years will hear strong reverberations in these verses that goes much deeper than just an intellectual analysis of these verses. This are challenges to come into an intimate relationship with the Father and with Jesus and to know their hearts in a way that the whole plan of salvation is designed to create. This is the focal point of God's desire for restoring the universe to the unity that it once experienced before Lucifer started his rebellion long ago in heaven.
This also adds much more dimension to my growing understanding of the concept of glory that I have been learning recently. According to what I am seeing here, true glory must have a lot to do with the kind of arrangement that brings honor to God. There is so much to this concept that it is impossible to pull together here, but I am trying to at least create an outline of what I am starting to see here.
Father, help me to lift up my eyes and learn to regularly see in a way that will empower me to perceive the way Jesus perceives. Cause me to see those around me with new eyes, with compassion and sympathy and the kindness that filled the heart of Jesus at all times. Show me how vital this is to bringing to Your reputation the kind of glory that will attract others to want to know You intimately so that Your glory will increase on the earth. As we join together in knowing our true Father and Jesus Christ who came to reveal You to us, our lives can also reflect Your incredible beauty and attractiveness to draw others to know You. As we do this together we can experience the real meaning of joy, of sharing love together, of feeling valued, cherished and honored as children of the King of Kings.
