They Shall See His Face

Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

The coming of the Messiah was the single, most significant event promised to the children of Israel. He who would bring the peace, and rule the world with a rod of iron, was the One all had waited for. The Old Testament foretold His coming in many ways, and even predicted the exact time He would be manifested to Israel.

Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

When He appeared, many were expecting another King David or Solomon. They did not understand the spiritual messages imparted by Jesus Christ, and the means to achieve the healing that all were seeking. They did not recognize their King and missed His appearing, even though He displayed mighty signs and miracles among them. Even some of their religious leaders knew that no one could perform these miracles, "except God be with him. (John 3:2)" that is, Emmanuel (God with us) had come.

Luk 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Luk 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
Luk 19:43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
Luk 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

There were, however, a remnant of the children of Israel and even some among the Samaritans who perceived that this humble man from Galilee was indeed the Christ, the Son of the Living God. As He spoke the Words of Life in the streets of Israel and in the Temple at Jerusalem, lives were transformed and souls converted. The Baptist had indeed prepared the way, by turning the hearts of the children to their fathers as prophesied in Mal. 4:6, and, through the revival of repentance, their hearts were opened and receptive to the Lord who had come suddenly to His Temple.

Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Jesus Christ told his disciples that many prophets and righteous men had longed to see the things that they did, and to behold the glory of the Father, the beloved Son of God.

Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Those who heard and believed Jesus Christ, were the pure in heart. They understood the parables He taught, which revealed deep hidden mysteries, and they followed Him by faith, until He was taken and crucified. While some did, fall away, and walk no more with Jesus (John 6:66) the remnant remained faithful and the Church of Jesus Christ was birthed.

Therefore, it is even so today -- a heart must be purified by the act of repentance, by the working of the Holy Spirit, being washed by the pure water of the Word of God and when this occurs, the Lord comes "...suddenly to His Temple," that is, "born again."

The Pharisees were not pure in heart, therefore, they rejected and condemned the words of our Lord to them because:

Joh 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

He who was Life, was showing them the way TO life (Eternal):

Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

The Pharisee today is no different -- the flesh will rule over the Spirit of God, unless there is repentance. Paul's conversion was dramatic, and not all see the Light from heaven and fall to the ground as he did, however, the grace of God that brings salvation appears to all (Titus 2:11) and there is no respect of persons wih God. (Romans 2:11)

Only In Christ, can we know God and be pure in heart. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every man and woman that believes. (Romans 1:16)

In Christ, we are healed;
In Christ, we overcome the world;
In Christ, we understand the Scriptures which can only be spiritually discerned; and
In Christ, we receive eternal life.

Only In Him, where we live and move and have our being, are we able to walk as He walked and see Him as He is, God revealed in the face of Christ Jesus.

Morning Manna