Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied. Isaiah 53:11
He shall see… Jesus sees all things and He knows us completely. And we know that, even at our best, we are a long way from what God calls us to be. So how can Jesus see us and be satisfied? When Jesus looks down at us from heaven, aren’t there times when He is disappointed and says, “I am not satisfied. When I think of all I suffered, I had hoped for something better.”?
God’s redeeming work in us has begun, but it is not yet complete, and we all fall short in many ways. We could all find good reasons to be dissatisfied. It would be easy to become habitually disappointed by other believers and perpetually dissatisfied with the church. We could find ourselves saying, “God’s people are not what they ought to be.” And we would be right.
But this remains true: “The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psa. 147:11). How can Jesus take pleasure when we are still so far from what He calls us to be? Because when we see Him, we will be like Him (1 John 3:2), and Jesus already sees and enjoys what we will be.
If you imagine Jesus looking at you with disapproval and disappointment, try to take this in: He takes pleasure in those who fear Him. Those who find hope in Him are a joy to His heart. When Jesus looks at His people, He rejoices in what they will be.
Part of becoming like Jesus is finding joy in what your brothers and sisters will be. Sometimes Christians disappoint and even hurt each other. But if you could see the Christian who disappoints you now, as one day he or she will be, you would be overwhelmed with joy.
Can you name one or two other Christians who have habitually disappointed you? Take a few moments now and consider what he or she will be like in heaven.
