Seeing Things Differently

Have you ever seen something that completely changed your life? The story of Easter is all about seeing — and being changed by what's seen.

For years, people witnessed Jesus' life, ministry, and the action of all things prophesied. At that time, His followers were marked by excitement, purpose, and anticipation.

Then, they watched His death and burial. The people experienced darkness, grief, and loss.

And finally, person by person, Jesus' followers saw the evidence of His resurrection. They saw Him. Their lives were renewed with hope, fulfillment, and a shared mission. Seeing Jesus and realizing His victory over death meant seeing everything in a brand-new way

Easter shapes the way you see Jesus.

Easter is an invitation to see who Jesus really is. He loves you. There is no limit to what He would do for you — even accepting death on the cross. But that death could not hold Him; Jesus is alive.

The Apostle Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:16b: "At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!" 

Easter shapes the way you see people.

When you see Jesus clearly, you see the unshakeable identity and deep value that He provides people. 

Let your perception of people reflect Paul's words in verses 17-19:

"…Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."

Let Easter change the way you see.

Just like Jesus' earliest followers, what do you see around you?

Easter marks the greatest moment in history: Jesus overcame death, and all the darkness and grief that came with it, inviting people into a life of love and hope. 

Where do you see new life around you? Where have you seen redemption in your relationships? Where can you endure through difficulty in hope that Jesus will bring fulfillment?

This is the present power of Easter. Jesus is alive. If you've seen Him, you know: This changes everything. 

PRAY

God,
Thank You for the sacrifice of Your son, Jesus. Thank You for making all things new. Please help us see Jesus more clearly and, through Him, see people the way You do. May we live in the present power of His resurrection — choosing love and hope in the face of struggles. We love You. Help us to love as You do.
In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Dive Deeper

Until this point, what has shaped the way you see Jesus? Are you living in the present redemption He offers, or in some other perception?

And do you see people, including yourself, in the way that Jesus does? Do you know the love and identity that He makes true in everyone?

Reflect on your own, and invite a trusted person in to help you see Jesus more clearly.