To See Jesus Is To See The Heavenly Father

A couple days ago I had a long phone conversation with Rick Richter, a dear friend of mine who has a very deep heart for Muslims. He is a retired Lutheran minister who has written a book comparing the teachings of the Bible with the Qur'an,
Comparing the Qur'an and the Bible: What They Really Say about Jesus, Jihad, and More

I highly recommend that you purchase the book, especially if you have friends or acquaintances who are Muslim and who are searching for the truth.

In our conversation my friend mentioned that there are thousands of Muslims around the world who having visions of Jesus in these days. He is convinced that these are real. As a result of this many are turning in faith to Jesus. Here's a link to a YouTube video in which a young Christian man, a former Muslim, testifies to his and others' experience of just that:

Thousands of Muslims See Jesus In Dreams and Visions and Are SAVED! 

In this video you will also learn about another reason why Jesus is God the Father's Son. He is born of a Virgin. He alone has the blood of his heavenly Father.

Decide for yourself what that means, but in doing so check out what Peter said to the crowds on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in the Book of Acts about visions and dreams in these last days.

 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. - Act 2:16-18 ESV

According to what we see and hear Jesus is appearing in visions and dreams to Muslims and Jews who are searching for the truth about God. Here's another YouTube video: 

Ex-Hezbollah Iranian Muslim Saw Jesus

During the Passover meal before his crucifixion Jesus spoke with his disciples about seeing him. By seeing he meant more than simply seeing with ones eyes. He was speaking about seeing with your heart and putting your faith and trust in him. This is what he refers to when he says, 

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life." And again, "No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 

Then Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." 

Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. - John 14:6-11 ESV

As you seek to share what you know and believe in your heart about Jesus, as you share the Jesus you have seen in your heart, pray also for your relatives, your children, your friends that they too may see Jesus ! And in seeing Him be brought to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Jesus, The ONLY Way To The Father

It is common these days to claim that there are many paths to God. For example we read this quote from Ramakrishna (1833-86), the Bengali Hindu sage, lifted up as true spiritual wisdom:

“God can be realized through all paths. All religions are true. The important thing is to reach the roof. You can reach it by stone stairs or by wooden stairs or by bamboo steps or by a rope. You can also climb up by a bamboo pole.”

This approach is very popular in these days. And one of the biggest and most popular leaders of the many paths approach is Oprah Winfrey. No one quite knows what Oprah believes. In a September, 2005 book, The Gospel According To Oprah, Marcia Z. Nelson says that there are several major Christian themes that weave through her life and work: confession, redemption, healing, mission, forgiveness and salvation. Nelson sees Oprah as a "compelling spiritual teacher in a spiritually eclectic and ever-practical America." But what exactly her credo is, well, no one really knows.

And then there's Jesus!

On that night before his trial and crucifixion Jesus met with his disciples to tell them he was going to his Father's house to prepare a place for them. "And," he said, "you know the way to where I am going."

Thomas, ever the practical and literal doubter, replied, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?"
To this Jesus said,

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." - Jhn 14:6-7 ESV

How strange. How very non-modern and un-American: No one comes to the Father except through me? Surely this is not what Jesus meant. No one but Jesus? He alone is the way? He alone the truth? He alone the life? Surely not.

Note Jesus' peculiar views of God to begin with. He claims to be God. God is his Father and he is the way to the Father. When Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus says,

"Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. - Jhn 14:9-11 ESV

 To see Jesus is to see the Father. The Father dwells in Jesus. He is in the Father. The Father is in Jesus. 

Again and again and again the New Testament writers emphasize the divinity of Jesus Christ. Again and again Jesus claims to be one with the Father. In him we come upon the great mystery of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All this is conveniently ignored by those like Oprah. If, however, you want to find true rest for your troubled soul, forgiveness for your many sins and the absolute certainty of life eternal, then come to Jesus. Listen again to his invitation.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Mat 11:27-30 ESV