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What Does Jesus See in the Church? by Pastor Charlie Handren

By Anonymous
     What do you see when you look at the church? When we look at the church we probably see a mixture of things and that’s understandable, but when Jesus looks at the church he sees great and glorious things. He’s not unaware of the flaws and difficulties that are there, but he is hyper-aware of what he has accomplished for the church and therefore who she is in his sight and where he is leading her and what her eternal destiny is.
     So when Jesus, the Lord of heaven and earth, looks at the church he sees a holy temple in which his Spirit is dwelling, even now. He sees a people who are so intimately related to him, by grace through faith, that he identifies them as his very body. And despite all of her flaws, he sees a beautiful bride who’s being made holy by the overflowing mercy of his Father and by the power of his own blood and by the presence of the Holy Spirit which he has freely given to all who believe. He sees the one to whom he is now engaged and who is now being prepared to become his wife forever.
     When Jesus looks at the church he sees the Kingdom of God on earth. He sees the light of his glory breaking into the kingdom of darkness through his bride, and he rejoices because he knows that no matter what she has to suffer, the gates of hell will not prevail against her—his blood shed on the cross and his presence in her midst and his promises upon her are just that strong.
     Beloved, Jesus is neither blind nor ignorant. He sees all things. He knows all things. He penetrates through the surface and sees the secret thoughts and intentions of our hearts. He takes our sin very seriously and he cares about the flaws and imperfections that are part and parcel of our daily lives together. But he is immeasurably great and gracious, and he has purposed in his heart to make his precious bride holy as he is holy. He has purposed to remove from us every spot and blemish. He has purposed to make us fit to marry him and to dwell in his presence forever. And when he looks at us now, he sees what we will be then, and he rejoices!
     Oh Beloved, I pray that we’ll have eyes to see today. We tend to think small thoughts of the church, but Jesus thinks glorious thoughts of her. She is immensely precious to him. He loves her, cherishes her, protects her, guides her in the way she should go. She is utterly central to everything he is doing on this earth, and through her he will supplant the kingdom of darkness and so display his wisdom and grace and kindness for all of heaven and earth to see. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom 16:20).
     Now, as we come to see what Jesus sees in the church, we will come to feel what he feels for the church and we will act as he would have us act toward the church. Next week we’ll consider some of the things he expects of his people for his glory and our joy, but for this week I want to urge you to meditate on these things and ask Jesus to help you see what he sees in his Bride.


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