Face to Face

FACE TO FACE

Many people spend their lives wanting to be seen by others for who they truly are. Yet Jesus was rarely seen for who He was. The religious leaders did not see Him. The crowds did not see Him. Even His disciples only saw in part.

What sustained Him was not being recognised by men but being known by the Father.

Often, we look at ourselves and wonder why others cannot see Christ in us. We ask why they do not recognise what God has done within us. Yet even these questions can keep our attention upon our own face.

Perhaps this is part of the journey into the New Jerusalem. As God comes to dwell with His people, our need to be recognised by others begins to lose its hold.

Maturity is not arriving at a place where everyone sees us correctly. Maturity is arriving at a place where we are settled in who we are in Him. Jesus lived from that place. He knew who He was because He knew whose He was.

God's desire is to dwell openly with His people.

Yet when God dwelt openly among His people in Jesus, He was largely unrecognised.

There is something profound in that.

The New Jerusalem may not simply be about God dwelling with man. It may also be about humanity finally seeing Him as He is.

John writes:

"They shall see His face."

Perhaps the longing to be seen is actually a reflection of a deeper longing within creation itself — to see God face to face.

Jesus lived looking into the Father face. He said, "I only do what My Father does." The reflection upon His face was not the approval of men, but the image of His Father. The world did not recognise Him, yet He remained settled in who He was.

The world continues to search for identity through reputation, recognition, and acceptance.

The invitation is not to become occupied with who we are, but with who He is. As our eyes turn towards Him, the need to be seen begins to lose its hold.

For in that day there will be no striving to be seen, no need to prove who we are, and no separation between heaven and earth.

The journey was never simply about being recognised by others. It was always about coming face to face with the Father.

Not to be seen, but to see His face.