Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar. (Isaiah 33:17) (NIV)
Jesus is the source of beauty. Luminous purple nebulas reach through space, and transparent feathery creatures swim in the sea, because the King of beauty made them. A beautiful Creator spoke beautiful worlds into existence.
Ezekiel, Daniel, and John tried to describe their revelations of Jesus on his throne. He was fiery, rainbow shrouded, stallion mounted, and glowing like the sun in its glory. For those already in paradise, Jesus is the center of every fascination. If we’re able to get any words out when we see his face, I’m sure we’ll stammer, “beautiful.”
The tragedy of Jesus redefined perfect beauty. He came from an unflawed existence into our world to perform the most heroic deed in all of history. Though he possessed everything, he lay desecrated under the foot of men. God called this unprecedented humility beautiful when he raised Jesus to the throne at his right hand. The final splendor of the risen Christ is more awesome than the first, because his obedience is proven by voluntary sacrifice.
It’s my destiny to share this new beauty of Jesus. I was made to reflect God’s dignity, but sin got in the way. Body, mind, and spirit were corrupted. I became ugly. Now I have a second chance to follow Jesus into overcomer’s beauty.
Adopt trust in the face of hardship, and that’s beautiful. Give to others when you yourself are hard pressed, and that’s beautiful. Overcomer’s beauty is forged in turmoil. Overcomer’s beauty is what our risen Lord shines from his throne next to God, and it’s what we will share through eternity.
Prayer: Jesus, help me be beautiful as you are beautiful.