{"id":13630,"date":"2025-10-04T05:56:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T09:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/?post_type=oyb&p=13630"},"modified":"2025-10-04T05:56:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T09:56:32","slug":"turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus-2","status":"publish","type":"oyb","link":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/oyb\/turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus-2","title":{"rendered":"TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

\u201cHe is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15 ESV).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In the opening chapter of Colossians, Paul breaks into a majestic hymn exalting Christ (Col. 1:15\u201320). Writing from prison, he wanted the believers at Colossae\u2014who were being tempted by false teachings that diminished Christ\u2014to fix their eyes on His supremacy. Paul begins by declaring that Jesus is \u201cthe image of the invisible God.\u201d The word eik\u014dn means far more than a mere reflection. It means that Jesus is the exact manifestation of God\u2019s nature. If you want to know what God is like, you need look no further than Christ. Paul also declares Him \u201cthe firstborn of all creation.\u201d This doesn\u2019t mean Christ was created, but that He holds first place in rank and authority. Just as Psalm 89:27 calls David \u201cfirstborn\u201d as the exalted king, so Jesus is preeminent over all. This hymn, alongside John 1:1\u201318, Philippians 2:5\u201311, and Hebrews 1:1\u20134, is one of the New Testament\u2019s great Christological pillars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to catch a glimpse of the invisible God? Then, turn your eyes upon Jesus. Philip once asked Jesus to show him the Father, and Jesus answered, \u201cHe who has seen Me has seen the Father\u201d (John 14:9). The world often tries to blur or diminish Christ, but Paul lifts Him up in all His glory. When you look at Jesus\u2014His compassion, His power, His cross, His resurrection\u2014you are beholding God Himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hymn writer was right: \u201cTurn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.\u201d When you\u2019re burdened with cares, when doubts cloud your mind, or when sin entangles you, look again to Christ. Fix your eyes on Him, and everything else falls into its proper place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRAYER: Dear Father, open our eyes to see Your Son more clearly. When we are distracted by the world, remind us to turn our gaze back to You through the Spirit of Christ. Lead us this day and strengthen us to do Your will until Christ is fully formed in us. In Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cHe is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15 ESV). In the opening chapter of Colossians, Paul breaks into a majestic hymn exalting Christ (Col. 1:15\u201320). Writing from prison, he wanted the believers at Colossae\u2014who were being tempted by false teachings that diminished Christ\u2014to fix their eyes on His<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"scripture-book":[1318],"scripture-chapter":[1334],"oyb_day":[1804],"location":[],"class_list":["post-13630","oyb","type-oyb","status-publish","hentry","scripture-book-colossians","scripture-chapter-1334","oyb_day-october-4"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oyb\/13630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oyb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/oyb"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13630"},{"taxonomy":"scripture-book","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/scripture-book?post=13630"},{"taxonomy":"scripture-chapter","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/scripture-chapter?post=13630"},{"taxonomy":"oyb_day","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oyb_day?post=13630"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=13630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}