Seeing Jesus

Thu, Oct 14, 2004
Mentor Letters

Dear Mentors,

I hope you are doing well, and enjoying the grace of God immensely, as Jody and I are.

I wanted to write and ask you today to consider something as you go about your day, and mentor your students, etc. Do you realize that we are to see Jesus Christ, with the eyes of faith, in all that we do? As we interact with family, with those at work, in our ministry here, we are to "fix our eyes on Jesus" in all things.

One of the greatest ways that we can do that is to fully immerse ourselves in God's Word. Look for times to get in a chapter here and there on which to meditate, try to set aside time every day for lengthy study and prayer, feed on good books, etc. Especially in our Bible study are we to look for Jesus (John 5:39). I am not content in reading for the day unless I have seen Jesus clearly in some manner, so that I might love Him more and try to be more like Him (by God's help).

Just today I finished reading the Book of Esther. Esther is much like life itself, for God is nowhere to be seen with the physical eyes, but He is everywhere, controlling all things, working out all things for good for those who love Him. In examining the role of Mordecai, I believe we see a clear picture of the work of Jesus Christ on behalf of His people.

Mordecai is the one who prompted Esther to plead for the life of the Jews. Mordecai, in working like this on behalf of his people, becomes a picture of Jesus Christ. Jesus rescued all who believe from all their sins, and saves to the uttermost all who come to Him. As Mordecai rescues his people, through Esther, he is promoted to the right hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 1:3

And in this position of power, Mordecai continued seeking the welfare of his people, and continued working on their behalf. In fact, the last picture we see of Mordecai, in the Book of Esther, is of his work on their behalf, his blessing the people of God through his position:

² And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? ³ For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people. Esther 10:2-3

That final phrase in the book, "for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all the people" is the last picture of Mordecai we see. He goes out blessing his people, working on their behalf, seeking their welfare.

And what is the last picture we see of Jesus Christ as He leaves this earth? He is ascending to the Father with His arms upraised in blessing. He leaves this earth blessing His people:

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. ⁵¹ While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. Luke 24:50-51

May God enable you and I to be like Jesus, to seek the welfare of His people, to speak the gospel of peace to them and call them from sin, to leave a perpetual blessing behind us when we are taken to heaven.

Oh friend, may we see more of Jesus whenever we open the pages of our Bibles. May we see Him in order to love Him more, and in order to be like Him.

grace and truth,

Mike Cleveland

team member www.settingcaptivesfree.com