by Marti Fischer

People are waiting for Jesus.

Jesus can be seen in us when we are unmasked.

We are unwilling to be unmasked over what people might see.

Jesus remains hidden.

People are still waiting for Jesus.

When we think our sins are less despicable than those of our neighbors, we are greatly deceiving ourselves, and worse, those around us. When we see our sins as mere flaws needing improvement, we are hiding behind a self-made mask that prevents onlookers from looking into the wicked sinner we truly are and finding Christ.

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When we embrace the significance of the cross in our own lives, His glory is seen in contrast to the horribleness of our sin. Contrast being the key word. When we hide our sins, we are replacing the Lord with darkness while masquerading behind all the “right” things we do “for God.”

Rather than face our sin, we prefer to think we aren’t all that bad; we just need a little help from the Lord. We just need a little push to get us over the top. But all this does is keep us hidden, and when we are hidden, Christ is hidden too. The only way for Christ to be seen in our lives is for everything else to be seen, too.

Something is wrong in the hiding and unbelievers know it even though they do not understand it. They are unconsciously waiting for us to recognize them in the mirror’s reflection of our own wretchedness that shows that we are no different; we are — both of us — nothing apart from the Lord.

Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:13-18)

Why are we not dancing in the streets and shouting in celebration over such good news? The minute we turn to the Lord, the Spirit removes our mask. We clearly see how bloody our sins are, and we are set free, reflecting the Lord’s glory (and not our own) in everything we do. What liberty!

Turn. Turn. Turn to the Lord. Watch the mask fall away as the Spirit does His work.

Instantly, no longer hiding, our capacity for evil now disclosed, we no longer are afraid to see ourselves for who we really are, the good, the bad, and the ugly. And in the knowing, revealed by the Spirit, we are free to gladly accept whatever He gives.

People are waiting for Jesus. When they look to us, who will they find? Don’t keep them waiting. Turn to the Lord.