Clear Vision

32 The king said to the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" The Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up to do you harm, be like that young man." 33 The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"(2 Samuel 18:32-33)

Absalom was the beloved son of King David, and Absalom believed he should be king instead of Solomon - even instead of David himself. But when war broke out, David asked his soldiers to "deal gently" with Absalom. The soldiers saw only a troublemaker and traitor, but no matter his actions and misunderstandings, Absalom was still David's beloved son. After receiving word of Absalom's death, David grieved bitterly. David saw Absalom through the lens of fatherhood and nothing could distort his view.

35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 41 Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42 They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?"(John 6:35,41-42)

In John 6, the recounted events show Jesus trying to get his followers to understand who he is. But they can only see who he's been - the son of Mary and Joseph, who they've known their entire lives. Although they've seen the miracles, and heard Jesus speak with power and authority, many are unable to believe.

With eyes of faith we can see ourselves and each other as precious children of God, and by God's grace we can see clearly the One who came to save us all.

44 No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. (John 6:44)