Salvador Dalí’s Madonna painting allows you to see different images based on your proximity to the canvas. Viewed up close, the grey and pink dots are abstract, but from a distance of six feet, an image of Mary and Jesus emerge. Viewed from an even greater distance—fifty feet—the painting looks like a giant ear; Dalí called it, “the ear of an angel.”
Simeon, a devout man, had an “up-close” look at Jesus. One day the Holy Spirit led Simeon to the temple in Jerusalem where he met Joseph, Mary, and their newborn son Jesus. The old man “took the child in his arms” and said to God: “I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2:28,30-32).
In contrast to Simeon’s up-close view of Jesus, our view of Him is from a distance. We can’t hear His human voice or touch Him physically, but we can look back and see the bigger picture of His life. We see Jesus’ arrival, ministry, death, and resurrection as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. We see that even in the 400 years of silence that separated the Old Testament from the New Testament, people had every reason to believe that God would send His Chosen One—just as He promised.
The big-picture view of Jesus’ life shows us that God is “entirely faithful” (Psalm 89:8). When He makes a promise, He keeps it. This is one reason why we can trust what the Bible says about future events. Jesus will return to earth. One day, we will enjoy life in a place where we’re completely safe from evil. The curse will be lifted, and we will reign with God forever (Revelation 21:27, 22:3-7).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Joshua 2:1-24
More:
Read 2 Peter 3:13-14 to see how future events can influence our outlook and life choices.
Next:
Why is it easy to lose sight of the future God has promised you? What happens to you spiritually when you focus on your earthly life?
Gary Shultz on February 28, 2017 at 5:54 am
Hi Jennifer: The “Next” questions certainly could bring much discussion, as you know, Jesus knew using spiritual eyes would be difficult. That’s why He prayed for “we” who were to come in the future and pronounced a blessing for those who believe when they have not seen. So it is known that living in a tangible world, with life itself screaming to our senses, would be difficult. Knowing a vision to the spiritual is not a path without belief and faith; the evidences of things not seen. So, to dwell in just what the culture and life has to offer is a blinding life to live, and many chose to grab what life has to offer instead of a promise of a much greater future. The view toward God for many is, “what have you done for me lately” or “how could God have allowed that to happen”. Trying to see without a spiritual view. Their view is God from their world. The view is much different when God allows us to view Him from a biblical and faith perspective… When we loose spiritual perspective by sin and neglect, without fail we loose hope and the Spirit that brought joy, and we join the “rat race” to grab only what this world has to pleasure us. As your title, and the song of that name, God does not watch us “From a Distance”, He wants us to be close to Him, living beyond with hope. Thanks Jennifer
Tom Felten on February 28, 2017 at 8:21 am
Jen, this past weekend we were discussing the reality of God in a discussion group at my local church. One thing we noted is that—although God is invisible—His presence and work in our lives is palpable. Changed hearts, lives, values are outcomes of those who have entered into a relationship with God and truly experienced His truth and love. And, praise God, the Holy Spirit dwells within those who have believed in Jesus—guiding, comforting, counseling, and convicting us. Yes, Jesus is with us by the Spirit today!
minkjh on February 28, 2017 at 6:00 pm
While it’s true that the aged Simeon had a view of the Messiah that was up close and personal, his song of blessing (the Nunc Dimittis) and his words to Mary were divinely prescient. Move ahead thirty-three years from this day in the temple to Golgotha and wonder with me if Mary reflected on those words when the spear that pierced Jesus’ side became the sword that Simeon said would pierce her soul.