Drawn to the Face of Jesus

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day."  John 6:44

Are you drawn to the face of Jesus?

There is a beautiful depiction of the face of Jesus painted by Akiane Kramarik at just eight years old called The Prince of Peace.  Many people are drawn to this painting for its miraculous message and authenticity.  There is story after wonderful story, account after marvelous account of how God has used this painting to change lives and draw the wounded and the hurting to Him.

As we read the Scripture, we find so many accounts of those who seek after God being drawn to Him.  There is the story of Mary being drawn to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him (Luke 10:39).  There is the story of Andrew seeking and being drawn to the Messiah (John 1:35-42).  We read the account of Philip and Nathaniel seeking and being drawn to Jesus (John 1:45-47).  

Jesus, Himself, in the Parable of the Hidden Treasure in Matthew 13:44 tells us, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."  Read the entire chapter and discover an amazing description of God's Kingdom and the longing God creates in the human heart for relationship with Him.

Jesus further admonishes us the most precious and important instruction and its unfathomable promise in Matthew 6:33, stating, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

Scripture provides the key to finding the precious face of Jesus in Jeremiah 29:13 (also found in Deuteronomy 4:29, Proverbs 8:17, Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:10, Acts 17:27), which tells us, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."  There are even more passages of Scripture warning us that if we seek after God but our hearts fail to heed His rebuke and instruction (Proverbs 1), we will not find Him.

The beauty of this relationship with Jesus is that He desires us, He loves us, and no one could ever want us more.  And as He draws us, everything else pales in comparison.  There is no fear, no shame, and listening to, obeying His voice is a complete and utter joy every day, regardless of our circumstance.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8).

Goodnight, Runners.