Week 17—Saturday 1 Corinthians 9:1-2
Week 17—SATURDAY
“EYEWITNESSES AND MINISTERS”
This fact that the gospel is an accomplishment and not a mere system of ideas determines the manner in which that accomplishment is to be passed on and the qualifications of the person presenting it. The next verse after the one we considered yesterday says: “Just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word” (Luke 1:2). “Eyewitnesses and ministers”—they have seen something and therefore proclaim something. So the gospel is not something to be heard from mouth to ear, but something to be seen from Face to face. That seeing was a physical seeing of him, as in the case of Paul—“Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?” Though he had not seen Jesus in the flesh—nevertheless, he had seen him!
This seeing of Jesus after the manner of Paul is perhaps the more important seeing of Jesus. For if he is seen in the flesh, or seen in a vision, there will always be the turning back to that sight of him—in remembrance. But if you see him as your Savior and Lord—really see him as a daily, hourly, moment-by-moment Companion and Guide—then you do not remember Jesus, you realize him. And the realization is worth far more than the remembrance. Remembrance turns back; realization turns in and around and ahead.
And unless we are thus “eyewitnesses,” we will never be “ministers.” We can never say, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard”—note “seen.” You can transmit knowledge about him if you have “heard,” but you cannot transmit him unless you have “seen” and realize him.
O Blessed Face, when I see you all else fades into insignificance. For I know that when I see that Face I see a Universe, and God and Everything. I could conceive of nothing higher; I could be content with nothing less. I thank you. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: My motto: To know him—to help others to know him.