Beholding the Beauty in the Face of Christ

As Gary concluded our look at Romans 10 on Sunday, the question I posed to myself and my family was this: In light of 2 Corinthians 3:18  which connects our spiritual transformation into the image Christ to our “beholding” of his beauty, how can we – practically and daily – behold Jesus’s beauty?

My question was almost immediately answered as the Bairds circled up and took communion together, all ten of us, using Matzo crackers and Welch’s grape juice. One of my daughters read through 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 and I pointed out what it is we remember about Jesus (his act of self-giving love on the cross to defeat sin and death, and his blood which establishes the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 ) and what we proclaim about him when we eat and drink during our remembrance ( Jesus glorious return Revelation 21:1-8).

As you too reflect on Romans 10:14-21, especially about the beauty of Christ, whether individually or with your small group, include the following passages and questions in your thoughts.

Reflection Questions:

1. What thoughts normally preoccupy your mind? What do you “fix your eyes” on other than the love of the Father in the face of Jesus?

2. How does thinking about other things (bills, sports, hobbies, family concerns, entertainment, etc.) shape how you live and how you experience life? 

3. Is there a principle at work here? 

4. Why does “beholding” the beauty of Jesus (i.e. intentional prolonged, conscious, persistent reflection on who he is, what he has done, how he feels and acts toward you, what he will do) result in transformation into his image, “from one degree of glory to another”?

4. List the things that prevent you personally from beholding the beauty of the gospel. (e.g. short attention span, easily distracted, boredom, lack of time, etc. ) Do any of these prevent you from your other interests? Do any of your other interests promise to transform you into the image of the eternal King?

5. What one thing can you put into practice to begin to “extend your gaze”? 

Remember: Paul notes in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that this transformation “comes from the Spirit, who is the Lord.” This process is not a matter of us gritting our teeth and “trying harder” it is a work of the Spirit that we cooperate with. Thank the Holy Spirit for his faithful work in your life.

Nathan Baird