We Become What We Behold – A Fasting Devotional

From: Tessa Leyson

“We become what we behold.”

Within this community, you probably will hear this quote sooner or later. It has always urged me towards consecration, to sacrifice, to love. It sounds cute. It’s the ideal devotional quote but....is it really?

In this world, we can behold so many different things and become just like them. Children reflect their parents, students reflect their teachers, followers their leaders. However, in the kingdom of God, we are being asked to behold King Jesus. Our prayers, to be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29), to be like He was/is (Ephesians 5:1), to reflect Him, comes with a cost (Galatians 2:20).

In counting the cost, we must remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. Beholding Him in this way should humble us. In ministry school, I remember reading a description of what Jesus’ body looked like after he was beaten. Our Jesus was so badly battered that he was unrecognizable (Isaiah 52:14). To become like the one we love requires sobriety about the process we must endure.

I also think it is important to remember that it was the Father’s will for Jesus to be obedient in this way (Philippians 2:8). In the garden, we see Jesus make the choice of letting the Father’s will be done. And while he asked if there was any other way, he still choose the path that was more costly. If we want to be as pure, our purity will require sacrifice. Whether that be a lifestyle, relationship, or comfort. We need to turn away from other lovers and towards the one who first loved us (1 John). This is why a life of repentance leads to a life of purity, and reminds us that blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God (Matthew 5:8).

And it’s because of that revelation that gives us joy to endure the suffering. For it was the joy set before our Jesus that he was able to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2). A joy that reconciles all of creation with its maker. A joy that has a father waiting with open arms to receive his prodigal son. A joy that mends the broken and makes all things new.

So, let us behold Jesus. Let us become what we behold.