There is a song that goes:
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him
Open our ears, Lord
And help us to listen
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus
(Robert Cull, 1976)
I understand the sentiment behind the song. The heart of the Christian faith is a relationship with God in Christ. We hunger for a closer walk with Him. But often, when Christians sing this, they are seeking some personalised mystical encounter with Jesus. But Jesus is not playing hide and seek with us. He has already told us how we can encounter Him. In the Emmaus Road passage (Luke 24:13–35), we see two ways that enable us to “see” Jesus.
First, we encounter Jesus in the Word.
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:27 NIV)
The two disciples were kept from recognising Jesus (v.16). I believe Jesus was preparing them for the day when He would be taken up to heaven and would no longer be available to the disciples in the flesh. Where then will they go to meet Him? In the Word.
Next, we encounter Jesus in community.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (Luke 24:30–31 NIV)
Many see this incident as a symbol of the Lord’s Supper. Of course we encounter Christ at the Lord’s Table. But I think, in the first instance, this is a description of a regular evening meal. In the context of community, when the disciples ate together with their guest, they recognised the presence of Jesus among them. Indeed, it was when the two disciples were walking together that Christ came and walked with them.
We want to see Jesus? Seek Him in the Word. The Living Word speaks to us through the Written Word. And since disciples of Jesus are being made into His image (Romans 8:29) we also see Jesus in our brothers and sisters. I am not saying that our brothers and sisters actually become Christ, but they teach us, albeit imperfectly, what Christ looks like.
So, by all means express your hunger for Christ in the songs you sing, but if one is serious about wanting to see Jesus, study the Bible and walk together with other believers in authentic community.