King Hezekiah rent his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes when he heard the news of the great Assyrian army coming up against Jerusalem. He then went to God in prayer. The Israelites were sore distressed at seeing their king in such a humiliating fashion. However, God’s prophet, Isaiah, promised, “Your eyes will see the king in his beauty” (Isaiah 33:17a – NKJV). This passage gave birth to the hymn, “The Last Mile of the Way.”

Christians have also seen their King in His humiliation, emptying Himself in order to be fashioned as a man (Philippians 2:7-8), being spat upon, scourged and crucified on a cross. But we too have the promise of seeing our Great King in His beauty someday. When He walked upon this earth, there was nothing about His physical appearance that attracted people to Him (Isaiah 53:2). But that has all changed. Now He has been glorified, and His beauty is such that when the apostle John saw it, he was thrown into a comatose-like state (Revelation 1:17).

How superlative must the beauty of Jesus be? Who can be more beautiful than the One who is perfect in love? Who can be more beautiful than One, though exceedingly rich, preached the Gospel to the poor? (Luke 4:18) Who can be more beautiful than One who has never lost a battle against evil? How beautiful must the One be that ten thousand times ten thousand angels worship Him? Who can be more beautiful than God?

We have never seen our King in His beauty, but we shall someday (Philippians 2:10). Today, we can only see Him through the eye of faith (Hebrews 11:1), but one day face to face. –Toby Miller

Get a FREE on-line Romans commentary at http://www.abiblecommentary.com. You may also order this commentary in book form for just $14.95 (it is a great addition to your library, or an ideal gift for friends, a special Bible class teacher or a cherished minister. The next commentary for release will be First Corinthians and we expect that will be out soon!