Gazing On The Radiance Of Jesus

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, do you wash my feet?’ Jesus answered him, ’What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ’If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ’The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, ’Not all of you are clean.’” ”…’If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them’” (John 13:1-11, 17, ESV).

It’s easy to point out what is wrong or bad in this world. It is displayed in politics, in nature, in society, in relationships, even in religious practices.

Last week, I saw a man walking on the side of the road and he was carrying on his shoulder a wooden cross. In our country (Philippines) this kind of practice during these days around or within holy week can be seen in different places. In some areas, you can even witness a man who will try to copy Jesus by allowing himself to be nailed on the cross. The Catholic church does not endorse this kind of practice. But because penitence is taught, some lay members of their church replace true repentance with various forms of penitence.

Erroneous perception of Jesus will result to erroneous religious practice.

So, this time, let’s explore our topic, GAZING ON THE RADIANCE OF JESUS while we study our text (John 13:1-11 & 17).

When we speak here of “radiance,” we refer to the glowing beauty, goodness or greatness of the qualities of the Biblical Jesus Christ.

So, why do we need to fix our mind’s eyes on His Divine Radiance? Or, what can we experience, if we gaze on the Excellence of His qualities?

We are familiar that the Gospel of John was written by the Apostle John. And the writer addressed himself repeatedly in the book as, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”

As we proceed on the last few verses (44-50) of chapter 13, we observe the close connection of Jesus Christ to the Father. We note that if we believe Jesus, we believe the Father; if we see Jesus, we see the Father; and if we receive the Word of Jesus, we receive the Word of the Father.

Aside in the close connection of Jesus to the Father, we note also that Jesus as “light.” And as Light, He came to save (v. 47). In other words, He came as Savior.

Anyone who sees Him, as Light, what will be it’s effect? According to Jesus, the person will not remain in darkness (v.46). And how did Jesus define one who is in darkness?

One who remains in darkness is the one who hears His words and does not keep them (v. 47). Also, who rejects Him, who does not receive His words (v. 48). And has no eternal life (v. 50),

Be reminded again that one of the close connection of Jesus to God the Father is that if we see Jesus, we also see the Father. Thus, if we see any glow of goodness or greatness in Christ, we also see the Divine Radiance of God the Father.

In Hebrews 1:3, we read that Jesus Christ “is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…”

Now, in our text, as we see the Divine qualities that Christ radiates, what happens when we gaze upon them? Or, why do we need to fix our eyes on His Radiance? And our answer is…

-- BE INSPIRED TO ACT ON WHAT WE KNOW (verse 17).

We read verse 17, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Before we consider the action or actions that we can take, let us first direct our attention on the Radiance of Jesus. Let us identify the excellent qualities that He radiates, as portrayed in the text.