Volume 43   Number 9                                                                                     May 2001

When mankind began making their first excursions into outer space about 40 years ago, it was a heady experience for many as we experienced the pride that naturally comes with accomplishment. The Soviet Cosmonauts came back from their missions with news about their achievements. To confirm the Communist party line that there is no God, they reportedly said that they never saw God while they were in space. Many atheists and infidels gladly received their word as they took comfort in what seemed to them to be scientific proof for unbelief.

For the sake of discussion, if we assume that there is a God, and He is powerful enough to create all the wonders of nature that we see about us, is it really logical to think that mere mortal men would be able to see Him with their own eyes? What kind of image were the Cosmonauts looking for when they “looked” for God? What did they really expect to see? A man? What does God look like?

Is it not more logical to for us to believe what God Himself has said? Consider and meditate on these words from the Scriptures: “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: `You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. `You shall not make anything to be with Me gods of silver or gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves.” (Exodus 20:22,23)

When God spoke to Moses and to Israel, they never saw any form. This is the folly of idolatry, for any image we make is only a cheap and powerless imitation of the true God.

“But He said, ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.’ ” (Exodus 33:20.)

God is so great, man cannot even look at Him and live. Not even a righteous soul like Moses could look at God. We cannot look at the noonday sun in its glory; what would cause us to think we are qualified to look its Creator?

“No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. ” (John 1:18)

Here is our hope: The way to look at God is to look at His Son Jesus Christ, who is the “the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person” (Heb. 1:3a).

Jesus said, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9)

Jesus is the way to see God. He is much easier on these mortal eyes, in addition to being the exact picture that God wants us to have of His great glory and majesty. “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”' (John 12: 32. )

Mankind thrilled at the countdown that began every space mission. They felt good about themselves at liftoff as the mighty rockets propelled the astronauts off of the launching pad and into orbit.

But that display of power cannot really compare with the power of God displayed in the cross of Christ. For when Jesus gave His life for sinful man, this was the God that the Soviets were looking for. When you look at the Lamb that was slain, you will accurately see God as He wants you to see Him.