John Chapter 1, Part 3, Power to Perceive Correctly

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WHAT DO YOU SEE 1ST WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS PICTURE?

Our first impression of people is based on initial perception of them. Any good chief will tell you people eat with their eyes first. That is why restaurants go to such great lengths to present your meal with eye appeal. Curb appeal is essential when selling a house. It’s not impossible to have a wrong perception of that food, it could be missing salt or have so much spice it’ll blow your head off. So many people fuss about wearing just the right thing for various situations so that they are perceived a certain way. If you say the right thing in the wrong way the hearer’s perception of your statement is tainted in a negative way. People’s background and experiences often cause

So how do we perceive people and reality correctly? I can assure you, intellectual and sensory perception is often insufficient. The best way is to be a student of the Bible and stay in tune with Spirit of God.

Hebrews 4:12   For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Look at these next verses and realize how John the Baptist knew who Jesus was. John was prepped by God Himself for who he was about to encounter.

John 1: 32   Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.

33   I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

34   I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.” (NLT)

The Gospels overflow with examples of God showing the limits of our finite brains. John didn’t recognize who Jesus is by his own intellect or input from any of his 5 senses. His first recognition of Jesus was while he was in his mother’s womb. John exhibits the supernatural gift of the spirit, Discernment of Spirits. He was able to see the Spirit of God come down and rest on Jesus. He previously heard a word from God, this is a supernatural thing. We have to appreciate the Lord sweetly filtering into these verses one of the great things Jesus does, “this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ Jesus will lovingly, and purposefully, give His people the power.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Acts-1-8_Inspirational_Image/

The rest of the chapter demonstrates the outworking of this supernaturally imparted ability for people to perceive who Jesus is and their response is so wonderful.

John 1:35   Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.

36   And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

37   The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38   Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

39   He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

40   One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

PRAYER – Father help us to walk in the Spirit so as to perceive Jesus. May we, empowered by the reception of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, reflect everything we see of Jesus throughout your Word; just as Jesus showed us the Father. And as we relate to the people you love help us to rely on Holy Spirit to understand their heart too.