‘’That which was from the beginning ,which we have seen with our eyes ,which we have looked at and our hands have touched of the word of life 1 John.1:1
It is pertinent to recognized the persuasive power of an eye witness and more so if such is a participant of the experience and not just a spectator. The enthusiasm, the conviction and urgency that the disciples expressed to Thomas was compelling enough, about ten grown men told him what they had seen and he doubted them. But his doubt was a blessing in disguise because shortly afterwards, Jesus revealed himself to Thomas to confront his unbelief, and he sprawled down in adoration and worship, exclaiming ‘’My Lord and my God”(John.20:28.); but Jesus responded with an astounding statement that has reverberated down the century ‘’blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believed’’,(John.20: 29) thus putting you and I in the league of the blessed.
But curiously, not all the people Jesus revealed himself to, after his resurrection were irreversibly affected by the sighting. Paul mentioned in 1Cor.15:6 that in Galilee, after the resurrection of Jesus, he appeared to more than five hundred at once, but on the day of Pentecost, just ten days later, only one hundred and twenty people were there to receive the Holy Spirit. The question need be asked: Where were the remaining three hundred and eighty people?
Thus we can conclude that there is another dimension of seeing, deeper than the physical seeing, which Paul prayed for the Ephesians Christians in Eph.1:18, that their eyes of understanding be opened so that they may know the hope of his calling and the riches of their glorious inheritance in Christ. Those who can enthusiastically tell others they have seen the Lord are only those who have had their inner eyes open to see the unseen. The bible talks about a veil covering the whole world that only the encounter with Jesus removes, after which such a person will be able to behold with open face the glory of the Lord and be transformed from Glory to Glory.(2 Cor.3:18) .
“But their minds were blinded; for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ”.(2 Cor.3:14).“Nevertheless,when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away”. (2 Cor.3:16)
The Holy Spirit is the agency of Divine revelation, which results in transformation into the image of God from glory to glory. Divine self-disclosure is the promise to all those who are hungry and thirsty for more of God. This is what will qualify us to witness to the world in need of the saviour, that “we have seen the Lord, come and see”(John.1:45-46). Philip located Nathaniel and witnessed about Jesus, inviting him to come and see Jesus. When we invite people to our Churhes and programmes, our utmost priority is to connect them with Jesus, but if a person has not seen Jesus for himself or herself with the spiritual eyes, it will be impossible for such a person to lead another person to do so. Mary told the disciples that she had seen the Lord because she had indeed.(Jh.20:18). The disciples told absentee Thomas that they have seen the Lord, because they had indeed seen the Lord.(Jh.20:25), It is only when a person has seen the Lord with the opened spiritual eyes that he can lead and influence others to see the the Lord.
Have you seen the Lord ? How have you seen him? Have you seen him in his glorious majesty, invincible conqueror, eternal redeemer, and the ruler over all powers and dominions. Are you excited, convinced, and passionate to witness the resurrection power of Jesus to all around you? ARE YOU?
Ven. Samuel Olusegun Onafeso
(CRM)