Remember - WHAT

Written By Greg Haskins

Mark E. Haskins

April 24, 2026

One of the most wonderful musical refrains ever penned is: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace” (by H. Lemmel). I love that. It’s true!

What do you see of Jesus in the gallery of your memory? Do the images of Him convey beauty, calm, care, strength, invitation, something else? Are they on permanent or temporary display? Are they vivid and getting more so or are they muted and fading? Do those images and associated memories dominate the gallery walls of your memory, or do they only occupy a small, out-of-the-way corner? Are you passionately drawn to them on a regular basis or not? Does His face cause earthly dramas, disappointments, and apparent disasters to recede and not consume you?

For me, when I still my mind and turn the spotlight from me to Jesus, I see and remember the following five images with related truths, each bringing great comfort. They are not new truths for me, but they do become renewed gospel truths when actively remembered. (An important point is warranted right here. The word gospel is often translated as “good news.” Frankly, that is an understatement. It is not “good” as in a “good dinner,” a “good movie,” or a “good time.” Let’s not forget that the gospel of Jesus Christ is GREAT news, audacious and personal. It can be life-altering news. It is save-all-humanity news!)

  1. I see and remember Jesus as both divine and human. The divine Son of God who willingly became fully man so that He could: (a) identify with all that we experience, (b) provide a path for our rescue, and (c) so that He could have a personal and eternal relationship with you and me. Indeed:
  • “…the Word was God…And the Word became Man and dwelt among us…” (John 1: 1, 14 TCNT).
  • “…it was necessary for him to be made like his brothers in every way…For having been put to the test himself, he is able to give help to others...” (Hebrews 2: 17,18 BBE).
  • “There is but one God, and one mediator between God and men—the man, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom on behalf of all men…” (I Timothy 2: 5, 6 TCNT).
  • “…I pray…that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me…[and] Father, I desire that they…be with me where I am…” (John 17: 20-24 ASV).
  1. I see and remember the Cross. It is a picture with other-worldly pain, unimaginable sacrifice, and unrivaled love—love from Jesus to the Father, from the Father to Jesus and, love from both to us! The Cross is a reminder that the once broken connection between all of us and God has been joyfully and fully restored and all our sin and guilt were erased and is remembered by Him no more (Hebrews 10: 17). Let’s always be reminded that:
  • “…He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto…the death of the cross” (Philippians 2: 8 ASV).
  • He reconciled us to God through the cross (Ephesians 2: 16 and Colossians 1: 20).
  • He nailed the certificate of debt against us to the cross (Colossians 2: 14).
  • “Jesus…for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12: 2 ASV).
  1. I see and remember the Resurrected Jesus, having shown great love for us, He made a way for us to put on the new man, become a new creation, one that abides with Him and in Him. We are assured that:
  • “…if Christ hath not been raised…your faith also is vain” (I Corinthians 15: 14 ASV).
  • “…if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new being! His old life has passed away; a new life has begun” (2 Corinthians 5: 17 TCNT see also 2 Corinthians 4: 16 and Colossians 3: 10).
  • “…we know that we abide in Him and He in us…” (I John 4: 13 ASV and Galatians 2: 20).
  • “Jesus said…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live…” (John 11: 25 ASV).
  • “…we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection…” (Romans 6: 5 ASV).
  1. Wow—all the above for me, for you? Yes! What is the result intended for us right now, when we remember and absorb the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection? It is to see God’s invitation for More Life, More Love, and More Freedom!1
  • “…I came that they may have life and may have it abundantly” (John 10: 10 ASV).
  • We “…were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another” (Galatians 5: 13 ASV).
  • “…love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15: 12 TCNT). Indeed, “…this lifetime is [our] opportunity to receive love, deepen love, grow in love, and give love.”2
  1. Last, His face prompts remembrances of some priceless Promises. And it is as if each of those magnificent, overarching promises is accompanied by its own covenantal rainbow for remembrance.
  • We have been promised the Holy Spirit as a comforter and teacher and “God does not limit the gift of the Spirit” (John 3: 34 TCNT, Ephesians 1: 13-14, and Galatians 3: 14).
  • The Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance all that we have heard Jesus say (John 14:26).
  • Jesus’ death for us is complete, final, and perfect and our works are worthless towards salvation and righteousness, and we now have wonderful access to our Heavenly Father (Hebrews 10: 14, Colossians 2:10, Ephesians 2: 8-9, 18, and 3: 12).
  • We “…are being transformed into His likeness…” (II Corinthians 3: 18 TCNT). And “… He who began a good work in you will complete it in readiness for the Day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1: 6 TCNT).
  • Along the way, “Remember it is God who, in his kindness, is at work within you, enabling you both to will and to work"(Philippians 2: 13 TCNT).
  • We can rely on these, and all other promises Jesus and our Heavenly Father have made to us (Hebrews 10: 23).

The scriptures above are mind-blowing and heart-warming. There is peace and joy available from meditating on each. Too often, we drive past a familiar verse without letting its profound message register at a deeply personal and grateful level where it is intended to park. Let’s remember to absorb His truths. Let’s remind ourselves that God’s word is a love letter to you and to me and it is unlike any other ever penned—full of eternal desire, unconditional invitation, personal promises, and ever-sweeter revelations of Him.

In a fitting year-end devotional, Henri Nouwen wrote: “Remember you are held safe. You are loved. You are protected. You are in communion with God and with those whom God has sent you. What is of God will last…Choose it and it will be yours.”3 Let our prayer of praise be: “Heavenly Father, I love the gallery of my memory where You and Your Son are featured. I love adding remembrances of You and Jesus to that gallery. I love the spotlight the Holy Spirit shines on each of those memories, enabling me to rest and rejoice in the life-altering, eternal memories of Your desire for me. Jesus, thank You for being my brother, my advocate, and my redeemer! May my eyes continually be turned upon Your face. Amen.”4

Next month stay tuned for “Remember—How?” which is Part 3 of this 3-part “Remember” series.

1 These are the three primary themes of Zoweh Ministry (https://www.zoweh.org/ ).

2 Henri J. Nouwen (2017), You Are the Beloved (Image: NY, NY), p. 340.

3 Ibid. p. 399.

4 Two music videos to enjoy, pertinent to this blog, are: (1) A short summary of the amazing story behind the hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmFnmuLNJdQ and (2) Cross Worship singing “Remember” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esi2bWkh5pM&list=RDEsi2bWkh5pM&start_radio=1 (both accessed 4-2-26).

NOTES: BBE (Bible in Basic English), Published 1949/1964, in the public domain. ASV (American Standard Version), Published in 1901, in the public domain. TCNT (Twentieth Century New Testament), Revised Edition, Published in 1900-1904 by Fleming H. Revell Company, in the public domain.

This blog and accompanying picture are not to be distributed by means other than the sharing of this web site link.

Greg Haskins
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Remember - WHY