A new outlook

Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day. (John 8:56)

There is a scene in The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy’s dog, Toto, pulls back a curtain to show that the terrifying wizard really is a pleasant, rosy-cheeked old man. Mounting tension goes away after his identity—and his goodness—is revealed.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Jews gathered in the Temple that their forefather Abraham had a special gift for seeing “beyond the curtain.” Where everyone else thought God was punishing and fearsome, Abraham discovered how loving and trustworthy he was. 

This close relationship between God and Abraham came about as God revealed himself to him and walked with him on the journey to the Promised Land. He blessed Abraham with a long-desired child, and he made a covenant, promising Abraham many descendants. And so, Jesus says, Abraham rejoiced, literally, he “exulted with joy,” that he might see the day of the Lord. 

Because of all the other promises God had fulfilled, Abraham expected to see God’s promise of salvation come about. As Jesus describes it, Abraham’s faith was equivalent to sight: “Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day” (John 8:56). In other words, he experienced the joy of Jesus’ coming before it took place in time. 

You might think it was easy for Abraham to have faith because he had experienced prosperity on earth. But remember that his wife, Sarah, was infertile for many decades before they had a child. And although Abraham was promised many descendants, he didn’t live to meet most of them. He could have despaired, but his faith changed his outlook.

Not all of your prayers have been answered yet either. But God’s salvation has come to you through Jesus. You can live with an outlook of faith just like Abraham, knowing that God will be victorious. This is not a happy delusion or a coping mechanism. It is meant to be the foundation for your whole life. Today, think about specific ways that God has loved you. Let this awareness enkindle a greater desire in you to see God’s kingdom come. Your expectant faith will help you see beyond even the most difficult challenges, just as it helped Abraham.

“Lord, give me eyes to see your glory breaking through.”

from wau.org