Have You Seen Jesus Lately?
The sermon encourages listeners to seek a deeper connection with Jesus by praying for spiritual sight and making Him their focus in Scripture study.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus in our lives, reflecting on how the disciples failed to see Him despite their close relationship. He challenges believers to consider whether they have truly encountered Christ, even in familiar settings like communion or during times of trouble. Spurgeon urges the congregation to seek a deeper connection with Jesus, reminding them that He is always present, yet often unrecognized. He encourages prayer for spiritual sight to perceive the Savior's presence in Scripture and daily life. Ultimately, he highlights the joy of not just seeking Jesus, but truly finding and communing with Him.
Text
"But they did not know who He was." Luke 24:16
The disciples ought to have recognized Jesus, they had heard His voice so often, and gazed upon that marred face so frequently, that it is amazing that they did not know Him. Yet is it not so with you also? Have you seen Jesus lately? You have been to His table--and you have not met Him there. You are in a dark trouble, and though He plainly says, "It is I--do not be afraid," yet you do not recognize Him. Alas! our eyes are blinded! We know His voice; we have looked into His face; we have leaned our head upon His bosom--and yet, though Christ is very near us, we are saying, "O that I knew where I might find Him!"
We should know Jesus, for we have the Scriptures to reflect His image. Yet how frequently we open that precious book--and have no glimpse of our Well-beloved! Dear child of God, are you in that state? Jesus walks through the glades of Scripture, and desires to commune with His people. Yet you are in the garden of Scripture--but cannot see Him, though He is always there!
Make it your prayer, "Lord, open my eyes--that I may see my Savior present with me!" It is a blessed thing to desire to see Him. But oh! it is better far to gaze upon Him! To those who seek Him--He is kind; but to those who find Him--He is precious beyond expression!
Sermon Outline
- The Disciples' Failure to Recognize Jesus
- Our Failure to Recognize Jesus
- The Solution: Seeking to See Jesus
- Pray for the Lord to open our eyes
- Desire to see Him is not enough, we must gaze upon Him
Key Quotes
“Yet is it not so with you also? Have you seen Jesus lately?” — C.H. Spurgeon
“To those who seek Him--He is kind; but to those who find Him--He is precious beyond expression!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Make it your prayer, 'Lord, open my eyes--that I may see my Savior present with me!'” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should pray for the Lord to open our eyes to see Jesus present with us.
- Desiring to see Jesus is not enough; we must make it our priority to gaze upon Him.
- Scripture study should be a means of communing with God and deepening our intimacy with Him.