“Who has believed our report? And to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed? For He (Jesus) shall grow up before Him (The Father) as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground: He has no form nor majesty; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty (appearance of face) that we should desire Him” – (Isaiah 53:1,2).
Who would believe that the Son of God would come to earth unnoticed and plain? The Father could have prepared a body for Jesus that was handsome and strong like king Saul, for “among the children of Israel there was not a more handsome person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.” Or, He could have made him like king David, “Ruddy (outdoorsy/glowing with health), entirely handsome, and pleasing to look at.” Wouldn’t that have been more appropriate for the Son of God? But no, all the glory lay hidden within the wrapping – and God wanted it that way.
Those closest to Jesus confessed they saw “the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” – (2 Corinthians 4;6). John wrote… “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory: the glory of the only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” – (John 1:14). It was His virtue that shone in every action, word, and deed.
God purposely under-emphasized the outward appearance of Christ, that people might see His virtues better. And in like manner, at Christ’s return… “He will not judge after the sight of His eyes (by appearance),” as the world does; “Neither will He rebuke after the hearing of His ears (by rumor)” as unjust judges do - (Isaiah 11:3). Jesus will look past all outward appearance and opinion, right into the heart… “I, the Lord, search all hearts, and examine secret motives, to give every person according to their ways, and according to the fruit of their doings.” – (Jeremiah 17:10).
But God has given us a place of preparation against that Day – the Cross of Christ. He who fashioned all hearts alike, not only knows them, but has the power to cleanse them and make them new. We’ve been called to share His glory and virtue, but virtue must come first. At Christ’s return, every false front will vanish before His eyes, because it’s the heart that matters through eternity.
Until the Trumpet sounds, may those around us see Christ in us.
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