When I Meet Jesus

This is Day 15 of my 40 day Lenten Blog.

"We will all be humbled when we see Your face." When We See Your Face by Sovereign Grace Music.

A couple years ago my oldest son was getting picked on by some of the girls in his class. My advice was to be nice to them. "Why?" he asked. I told him there were three reasons. First, that's what Jesus wants us to do. Second, it will be harder for them to be mean to him if he is always nice. And finally, one day he's going to think they are beautiful and want to date them. And they will remember him being mean to them. He made a yucky face and looked at me like I had three heads, but I still stand by that advice.

The Bible tells us that when Christ returns everyone will bow before Him and proclaim Him as Lord. (Romans 14:11). I presume this is because of the majesty and glory that we will witness in His coming. When Jesus was transfigured His clothes became "dazzling white." (Mark 9:3). He must have shined like a star. It was probably the most awesome sight Peter, James, and John had ever witnessed. He will look like that when He returns.

It will be amazing to see Christ returning in His glory with everyone falling down to worship Him. But I fear that my shame will be greater than my ecstasy. Am I going to be like a teenage boy who suddenly realizes the girl he's been mean to for the past several years is now really hot? Am I going to be ashamed that I did not love Him enough before I saw Him in His glory? Am I going to be ashamed that I did not obey Him? Am I going to be ashamed that I picked up a cat o' nine tails and flogged Him over and over and over throughout my life? Did I treat Him like the ugly duckling or the beautiful swan?

I should treat Him like the beautiful and perfect King of Creation now. I should treat Him as the fulfillment of all my hopes and desires now, because that is what He is and I will surely see it when He returns. I have no doubt that when I see Him face-to-face in His glory I will be like the sinful woman in Luke 7, on my knees, weeping for my sins and kissing His feet in love and adoration. (See my posts on the Sinful Woman). The challenge I face is treating Him like that now. But the good news is, that Jesus will forgive my failings just like He forgave the sinful woman.

R.C. VanLandingham is the author of the Christian fantasy novel Peter Puckett & The Amulet of Eternity. He lives in Florida with his beautiful wife and three wonderful boys.