Healing Rays of Righteousness

There have been times in my life when I became breathless with wonder and awe. I remember the day when I walked, with eager anticipation, from the parking lot to the edge of the Grand Canyon. It was when I looked down into that expansive space that I became awestruck and speechless by the awesome breath-taking view. I was not expecting nor prepared for the overwhelming emotions of amazement and wonder that filled and silenced me.

There are also times in my spiritual journey that I experience similar emotions of amazement and wonder, such as reading John’s opening introduction of Jesus in his Gospel account. I invite you to sit, look, and listen with me. Look and see the awesome grandeur and beauty of this biblical grand canyon.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made, without him nothing was made that has been made.”  … “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  (Jn. 1:1-3, 8).

Let us now sit and listen to verse sixteen and see the awesome view of our relationship with this Jesus. “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”  Or, as the New Living Translation says it, “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.”   Wow! What breath-taking, soul-stirring beauty of God’s love for us. It is utterly amazing grace!

Such experiences convince me that the most crucial first step in becoming a disciple of Jesus is learning how to “sit” at Jesus’ feet, “look” into his eyes, and “listen” to his teachings. Every would-be disciple of Jesus must take time to gain a better understanding of God and strengthening a relationship with Jesus.

Furthermore, I believe that learning to “do” ministry and becoming a fruitful disciple of Jesus begins with sitting, looking, and listening to what God has “done” for us in Jesus. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles agree that this is essential before we can be adequately equipped and empowered in “doing” God’s Kingdom work.

The Quaker fellowships that I have occasionally attended, always reminded me of this important need for silence, meditation, and worship; of being in God’s presence, of being taught by his Spirit, prior to doing God’s work of being his agent of change in our world.

Webster’s dictionary gives two definitions of “sit” that are applicable to our relationship with Jesus.

   1. “To occupy a place as a member of an official body.”  Indeed, we “sit” at Jesus’ feet as a   member of God’s family, for he chose us in Jesus (Eph. 1:4). In love he predestined us to be adopted as his children through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5). In Jesus, we have redemption, forgiveness of sins, with all wisdom and understanding lavished on us (Eph. 1:7-8). And we are named “fellow-citizens” with God’s people and members of God’s household (Eph. 2:12-13, 19).

   2. “To be in session for official business.”  Yes, indeed, we “sit” at Jesus’ feet as management    associates, princes of the King’s court, because he chose us (Eph. 1:4). We know the King’s blueprint, and his secret plan (Eph. 1:9; 1 Cor. 2:7,16). And we are marked with the seal of Holy Spirit, identifying our belonging to the King’s court (Eph. 1:13), doing the King’s business as guaranteed inheritors of his eternal Kingdom. (Eph. 1:14).

God, in Jesus, gives to us, his disciples, both position and privilege, by inviting us to sit at his feet, to look into his face, to listen to his heart and mind, to consider and receive his wisdom, direction, and power. Only then will we be enabled and empowered to do Kingdom work in our communities, nation, and world.

Our praying “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” will be answered only to the measure that we first give attention to “sitting, looking, listening” to Jesus’ teachings. And the following hymn, written by an unknown author, reminds us to do so daily.

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,  Wondrous words I hear Him say!

Happy place! So near, so precious!  May it find me there each day.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,  I reflect upon the past;

For His love so gracious,  It has won my heart at last.

Bless me, O my Father, bless me,  All my inner life renew;

Now look down in love upon me,  Let me catch a glimpse of You.

Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus,  Make me holy through His Word.

May I prove I’ve been with Jesus,  Been with Him, my risen Lord.

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 9/18/24