Look, see, pay attention.
What comes after this invitation is important.
Something we are going to want to witness or regard.
In its most significant place, it comes before introductions to Jesus Christ.
From His Father, His cousin, Himself.
Behold my Beloved Son.
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God.
The invitation is to see Him.
Recognize that this is He whom the Father chose to save all mankind.
See that He condescended to come to earth to do so.
Look at what He was willing to do because He loved His Father and His plan, because He loved us.
This word invites us to recognize that we knew Him before and we trusted in His power and His ability and His desire.
It beckons us to view His heart and His place in our Father’s heart.
And when we do, we know light and truth and love.
We view the worth of the souls of all of us, who without deserving or earning or often even wanting anything from Him, are offered all that He could give.
Behold every good thing.
Behold abundant life.
Behold the way to growth, the path of peace.
Behold mercy and justice, law and love, loyalty and surety.
Our current use of the word suggests observing something remarkable or impressive. He certainly is that in more ways than we can even comprehend, and we should look and see and pay attention.
But the origins of ‘behold’ indicate a sense of holding completely or thoroughly.
So while we look with wonder and awe at His sacrifice and all it implies for us, may we also behold in this way.
Faithfully, firmly grasping that this invitation is for us to rest and rejoice in the assurance of His capacity, His willingness and His desire to save.
Holding to His promises and thoroughly, consistently, unfailingly maintaining our hold on Him.
Behold Jesus Christ. Beloved Son. Lamb of God. Deliverer. Mighty One. Redeemer. Shepherd. King. Advocate. Friend. Savior.
