“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.“
(John 3:1-3 ESV)
I resemble my mother a great deal. I always have. Even in my teens, neighbors would call across the yard to me, mistaking me for her, though there were twenty years between us. It was funny and awkward, all at once.
When you resemble someone in your family that closely, you have a kind of time machine before you. I could look at my mother and see what I myself would look like at age thirty, at fifty, at seventy-five. She went ahead of me in time, showing what was to come.
John tells us that we have a similar situation with Jesus. John writes, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.” God’s children resemble their eldest Brother, Jesus Christ our Savior. Our life comes from Him; He died on the cross so that we could live, and He rose from the dead to make us God’s children forever. No wonder there is a likeness, even if it’s minor compared to what it will be in the future. We are growing into His likeness every day as the Spirit works in our hearts; and on the day Jesus returns, there will be no doubt. Everyone will see the resemblance and know who we belong to.
This is the great happiness we have to look forward to, that the Spirit will keep on working in us until that day, when Jesus comes and we greet Him with joy and love. And because we know what’s coming, we are getting ready for it, aren’t we?
Because it won’t do to be caught unprepared. Who could bear it, to have Jesus come at last—and to be caught in our own dirty rags of pride and self-righteousness? Oh no. Better by far to keep clean and tidy, coming to the Lord daily in confession and repentance—trusting that He will always forgive us, always cleanse us, always draw us close. Then, when that day comes, we will stand before Jesus with confidence and love, wrapped in the robes of His forgiveness and grace. What a wonderful meeting that will be!
We Pray: Dear Savior, draw me close to You in love, and make me more and more in Your image. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on April 10, 2024
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you resemble anyone in your family, either in looks or in actions? If so, who?
2. What feelings do you have as you look forward to Jesus’ coming? Why do you feel that way?
3. How does Jesus’ death and resurrection for you give you confidence to stand before Him on that great day?