On the morning of June 2, as the sun began to rise above the tree line, I was able to catch the sun rising in a way that I rarely see, at least in our neck of the woods with our low, rolling hills. The sun appeared not in its usual blinding, beaming light, but as a faded crimson orb, hanging low and filtered in a dense haze as the day began. It was beautiful enough for me to stop and quote David: “The heavens declare the glory of God…” (Psalm 19, ESV).
When the sun is low on the horizon, either at sunrise or sunset, its light has to travel through more of the Earth’s atmosphere than at other times of the day. As the light becomes visible to the Earth’s surface, shorter wavelengths of light (shades of blue) get scattered outward, and longer wavelengths (shades of red) become more visible. And on this particular morning, a layer of moisture just above our heads acted like a natural filter, softening the sun’s appearance to a beautiful, rose-colored circle.
But there is more to the sun than what I saw that morning. Though it was being filtered, this veil never changed the full essence of the sun. Behind the atmospheric veil was the same burning star that God appointed to rule the day, and its full power and glory were still very much present and real.
How many of us are seeing Christ through an atmospheric filter? You may not have thought about it, but we live in a world that tries to fade out the truth of who Jesus is. Contemporary culture tries to remold him to fit its ever-evolving values, chiseling away biblical theology for ideas about Jesus that are more popular and suitable for the masses. We create a world with a weak Jesus who is okay with our culture-stamped acceptable sins. Sometimes it is we who filter him through fear, doubt, or neglect. Yet, even through the hazy veil, the rising sun shines. The same is true for Jesus, and the Bible is clear on his power, nature, and beauty.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)
This is the Jesus behind the haze—the real one, whose glory is just beyond our manmade filters. He is the God who makes himself knowable. He is the radiance of God’s glory, not a secondary reflection of a greater light, but the very same light as the Father. He is the exact imprint of God’s nature, nothing less. He is God’s full character in human skin. And if that weren’t enough to reveal how powerful Jesus truly is, consider this: right now, the universe is not falling apart simply because Jesus is telling it to stay together.
So, look at Jesus from where you are? Do you consistently view him the way we see him in Hebrews 1:3? If not, you may see Jesus through your own atmospheric filter. You may be settling for a version of Jesus shaped by culture, comfort, or convenience. Don’t let the haze of doubt, fear, or distraction dim your sight of who he truly is. There is more brightness, warmth, power, and glory just beyond the veil. Trust in the Jesus that is beyond the haze. There he is, shining in full strength, calling his sheep to follow and worship him.
Bee-Attitude
Blessed are you who look beyond the distractions of this world, for you will see the radiance of Christ.
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
