Just a Foretaste

We can know Jesus right now and truly. But even as truly as we can know Him today, there is more to come when we see Him face to face. Our readings are from the book, To Know Him. Here is a brief excerpt from page 21:

                  But all of this
is but a foretaste of eternal bliss,
a pointing forward, once the final grain
of time has dropped, once wars have ceased, and pain
and sorrow are extinguished, to that place      
where we will see this Jesus face to face,
and seeing Him, be like Him. What complete
delight will we know then! What joy will greet
and fill us, as He smiles and utters those
long hoped-for words, “Well done!” and clothes
us with eternal glory, and secures
us in that place where holiness endures
uninterrupted and forever. Now
we glimpse this day, straining to see somehow
what even now is being readied for
us – joyous life with Him, forevermore!
Here fix we our most fastening gaze. We strain
the heart’s eye, that we might perchance obtain
a clearer vision of Him, reigning there
in glorious splendor, might, and strength. We dare 
to reckon ourselves seated with Him, from
which vantage point, we see things yet to come,
and number all our days according to
His new regime, that all we say and do
at every moment might reflect this place
of grace and glory, radiant with His face

For reflection or discussion
1. Should knowing we will see Jesus face to face one day encourage us to grow in knowing Him today? Why or why not?

2. What does it mean for you to “fix your gaze” on Jesus? How do you do that, and how do you benefit from doing so?

There is much more information and encouragement in our book To Know Him than we can cover here, especially in the notes that accompany the text. Order your copy of To Know Him from The Ailbe Bookstore. Share today’s podcast with a friend and get together to discuss this high and holy calling, the calling to know our Lord Jesus Christ. For The Fellowship of Ailbe, this is T. M. Moore.