“Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘”You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬‬‬

I’ve been stuck this Easter about what various people saw when they saw Jesus. The crowds were hailing the Messiah on Palm Sunday, shouting Hosanna, they wanted a deliverer, someone to set them free from their Roman oppressors. What did they see?

The disciples had been with Jesus three years living day by day in close proximity and still they had limited perception. As they sat around the table eating the Last Supper, what did they see? When the bread and the wine was broken and lifted up what did they see?

Hours later as Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, could they not see the agony, the sweat, the tears, heavy eyes did not see.

The Sanhedrin wanted rid of this trouble maker, perceived Jesus has a threat to their way of lives, and feared a loss of power and authority. The crowd that shouted Hosanna, now were shouting crucify.

What did the guards see when they beat Him, when they mocked and they spat upon a Him. What did Pilate see? A man who had done nothing wrong, but he still gave Jesus up to be crucified.

As Jesus was on the cross with the robbers either side, what did they see? One vilified Jesus the other saw something different. It seems to me that in Jesus on the cross, he saw hope, he saw this was not the end, he saw that the Kingdom was at hand. Remember me when you come into your kingdom.

What a contrast, when you look at the cross, and remember who was Crucified what do you see? Hope or despair?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my soul was rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day.