All is Not as it Seems
We cannot see things as they are, when we look through our physical eyes. When we think from the perspective of our physical man (the flesh), we see things upside-down, like in the image above.
When we look in the mirror, we don’t see ourselves correctly either. We see our image reflected to us backward. (We see evidence of this when we take a selfie with our phone. It looks strange to us because it’s not what we see in the mirror, but it’s the image everyone else sees.)
In 1 Corinthians 13, we are told:
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known.
In this way, with our natural eyes, we cannot see the Kingdom of God properly either. Jesus came to usher in the Kingdom. Jesus came to show us what the Kingdom of God is like. Jesus came to show us the character of God. And it is forever surprising us. True reality, that is, Jesus’ reality, is not as it seems (to us).
Remember: Jesus is the exact image of God for us to see (Hebrews 1:3)
From the “HELPS Word-studies” on Bible Hub we see the Greek for ‘exact image’. The transliteration of the Greek word is ‘character’:
5481 xaraktḗr – properly, an engraving; (figuratively) an exact impression (likeness) which also reflects inner character.
[5481 /xaraktḗr was originally a tool (used for engraving) and then came to mean "a die" ("mould"). Finally it stood for a stamp or impress used on a coin or seal (see H, 368). In each case, the stamp conveyed the reality behind the image.]
Love looks like sacrifice. Leadership looks like servanthood. Victory looks like peace. Vengeance/wrath looks like kindness. Judgement looks like light.
Jesus is forever surprising us.
Love looks like sacrifice
The religious leaders expected a warrior-Messiah, who would set them free from political oppression. However, He came as a servant, showing the world that love looks like sacrifice.
“Whoever wants to be first among you, shall be last,” Jesus told them. Jesus is the head of the church, yet He washed feet, healed the sick, and fed the hungry.
Leadership looks like servanthood.
Today I hear religious leaders talking about how “the first time Jesus came as a lamb, but next time He’s coming like a lion.”
And then we read in Revelation that the lion IS a lamb. “Look! The lion has overcome!” and John said, “and I saw a lamb…”
Victory looks like peace.
In Romans 12 it says not to repay evil for evil. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. And then He tells us what His vengeance/wrath looks like. Kindness.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But [Greek ‘alla’ literally means ‘on the contrary’] if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Vengeance looks like kindness.
For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son… (John 5:22) …for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. (John 12:47) And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world… (John 3:19)
Hmmmm. So God gave judgement to the Son. Jesus did not come to judge. The judgement is that the Light has come into the world.
So the decision (judgement) of God is to give light to the darkness.
Judgement looks like light.
All is not as it seems.
And if we allow Jesus to repent us (change how we think), we will live in the Kingdom of God right now, here on earth, loving others the way He does… in a life of sacrifice, servanthood, peace, kindness, and in a way that sheds light in the darkness.
What else is ‘not as it seems’? Have YOU noticed anything in the Bible that is ‘not as it seems’? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
After leaving a comment, where would you like to head next?
Faith
Relationships
A-ha Moments
Transparency in the Journey
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