What does it mean to behold?

This was a question I pondered last week. My curiosity was initially piqued after reading a familiar Scripture passage that included what I now believe to be a truly stellar word. It just seems there are some words that are brilliant at conveying a thought or a feeling and behold, at least in my opinion, happens to be one of those words. Roughly translated, behold means to see or observe something or someone that is remarkable or impressive. However, this merely scratches the surface of an old English word, now nearly a relic, that is far weightier and worthy of our understanding.

As I considered this, I was reminded of my experience at the Dalí Museum, viewing a truly outstanding piece of artwork by the Spanish surrealist, Salvatore Dalí. His Lincoln in Dalivision is indeed striking, supposing you are able to truly see it, which is no small task. At first glance, the mesh of infused dotted colors on the massive canvas appeared formless and nonsensical to me. However, with intentional thought, patience and time, I was eventually able to behold the preciseness, clarity, and grandeur of the portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and it was well worth it!

Beholding in the Scriptures

According to Bible Gateway, the highest concentration of the word behold is found in the NKJV, referenced a total of 586 times, synonymous with the word see used in more modern translations. The Hebrew translation of behold is hinneh meaning to perceive, notice, or see something completely new. This is similar to the Greek word eido, literally defined as be sure to see. I share these definitions only to say that beholding is not simply glancing, noticing, or even acknowledging something exists. Instead, beholding implies seeing something or someone in a manner that heightens awareness, comprehension, and understanding.

Many of the biblical writers understood this principle. By this I am referring to the act of beholding in the context of spiritual perception and revelation. Isaiah for instance, had a vision of the Lord seated on His throne, high and lifted up (Isaiah 6:1). Likewise, Stephen saw the heavens opened up and Jesus seated at the right hand of God while he was being stoned (Acts 7:55). And the apostle John declared that he beheld, as in actually saw Jesus, validated by his own words:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NKJV)

This is the first-hand testimony of a man who truly walked, talked, heard, touched, and knew Jesus. We honestly cannot rush past this fact. John beheld Jesus! And the implication of this word is critical in our understanding regarding the context in which it was shared, as John didn’t simply know or hear about Jesus. Neither did he know him vicariously through someone else’s description or testimony. And certainly, he didn’t learn of Him through the religious system of the day; the Pharisees would never have licensed such blasphemy. The truth is John was empowered to declare Jesus as the grace-filled, truth-filled Son of God because he truly saw, and therefore knew Jesus. And this revelation leads me to the conviction that the only way anyone can fully comprehend the breadth, beauty, and brilliance of all that Jesus is by beholding him.

The Benefits of Beholding

Nineteenth century English poet, William Blake, is quoted as saying, “We become what we behold,” inferring that we are each greatly influenced by the things that consume our time and attention. And we know this to be true as we see the results of this through the influence of culture and the voice of social media. We are all subject to that which we give our time and attention to. And this is why we must turn our gaze from that which is worthless, trivial, and meaningless, to the only One who is eternal, glorious, and beautiful! If we truly desire to experience personal transformation, become more like Jesus, and reflect Him as image-bearers in the world, we must first behold Him.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

Beholding Jesus

The primary way we are empowered to see, know, and understand Jesus is through His Word. It’s through the revelation of Scripture that we are enlightened to the reality, complexity, wonder, and breathtaking beauty of all that Jesus is. It’s in Scripture that we learn of His deity, power, mercy, compassion, sacrifice, love, and so much more. And further, it’s through Scripture that we behold Jesus as the eternal, incarnate Word of God (John 1:1), the only begotten Son of God (Luke 1:32), and the Savior of the World (1 John 4:14).

Additionally, we behold Jesus through the Holy Spirit, worship, prayer, repentance, trials, sadness, mourning, despair, and triumphs. In essence, the opportunity to behold Jesus is everywhere and in everything as He is the creator and sustainer of all things. Jesus is not hidden from any of us, and He has promised that all who seek Him find Him, but this requires intentionality, time, and a heart that longs to behold Him. King David exemplified this kind of heart, evidenced in this lyric of His Spirit-inspired song:

One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
Psalms 27:4 (NKJV)

Prepare to Behold Him

In closing, we are now just weeks away from remembering the cross on Good Friday and celebrating the resurrection on Easter Sunday! In light of this, I am convinced one of the most effective ways we can each prepare our hearts to fully appreciate and wholeheartedly celebrate this most meaningful of Christian holidays is by beholding Jesus, beginning today.

We don’t need to wait, nor should we, until Easter, to turn our gaze toward the magnitude and magnificence of Jesus. Instead, let’s seek opportunities, beginning now, to behold Him in the study of His Word, in times of corporate and private worship, through the beauty of creation, and in heartfelt prayer and confession. I, like you, truly desire to experience Jesus in a real and relevant way for the remainder of this passion season, leading to Resurrection Sunday. Because of this, I pledge to the daily practice of beholding, that is truly seeking, acknowledging, and observing Jesus. My friend, I pray you will join me in this charge so that together we can behold the beauty of the Lord, today, tomorrow, on Easter and every day of our lives.

Extend grace to others! If you’ve been encouraged, strengthened, or edified by this week’s post, please consider sharing Grace Notes For You with a friend.

Encourage Others

Reflect upon a time in your Christian journey when you beheld, truly saw/experienced Jesus in your circumstances. Was it in a worship service, time spent in His creation, in a hospital room, following a victory, after a season of trials, or in some other way? I’d love to hear your experience!

Please encourage others by sharing your response on the Grace Notes For You Facebook page, found here.

Personal Reflection

  • How would you describe what it truly means to behold Jesus?
  • In what practical ways are you beholding (seeing) Jesus on a daily basis?
  • How does beholding Jesus shift your perspective from present circumstances to eternal promises?
  • Complete this sentence with as many descriptive words that come to your mind and heart: When I behold Jesus, I see Him as…