Somebody once said, “What you see is what you get.” I suppose that is true in a way but more truthfully is the statement, “what you see depends upon what is in your heart and how you choose to see things.” Is the cup half full or half empty? Both answers are correct but how we process what we see is another thing all together.

The book of Hebrews calls our vision into question. The world is running wild, it seems. It’s dangerous and a lot of times it doesn’t look like God is in control of much of anything. So the writer says, “We do not yet see all things subjected to him’ (Heb. 2:8). And that is a true statement if ever there were a true statement. However, it is not the only expression of what is. Following the negative statement the writer says, “But we do see Him…Jesus…crowned with glory and honor” (Heb. 2:9).

Putting these two statements together we read, “We do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we do see Him.” To which outlook shall we give ourselves? Both of them are true. Shall we get lost in the dangerous world where things can go so very wrong sometimes? Or shall we get lost in the grace of God who is at work in a crucified and resurrected Lord in the dangerous and seemingly out of control world? What you see depends upon what is in your heart and how you choose to see things.

We see Jesus. He has taken the brokenness of the world upon Himself and of this it is said of Him that He is “crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9). Jesus has drawn near to us so closely that “He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered” and through this “He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Heb. 2:18).

God is with us in Jesus Christ. What more could we ask? He has spoken grace and mercy into us, and His presence redefines all of life for us.