Jesus

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He sees.

 “An intimate encounter with Jesus is the most transforming experience of human existence.” – John Eldridge

Have you ever tried to avoid someone and then found yourself face-to-face with that person in a situation from which you couldn’t escape? It’s happened to all of us!

I think Zaccheaus in 1st-Century Jericho may have found himself in that predicament. The crowds were great and Zacheaus was not a favorite among the people because he collected taxes for the hated Romans. Apparently he had a curiosity about Jesus and wanted to know more, but only from a distance. He climbed the sycamore tree because he wanted to see, but not to be seen.

But, this is Jesus, right? He doesn’t miss anything! Of course he sees this little man in the big tree and is not going to let him get away with hiding. He calls him down from the tree. And, if that’s not scary enough, he then invites himself to Zaccheaus’ house for a meal. Zaccheaus couldn’t hide from Jesus, but he did get to know more about him! And his life was tranformed forever in that one encounter.

We don’t have to hide our struggles. Jesus sees. We don’t have to be embarrassed about our doubts. Jesus sees. He sees our joy, too. When we are kind or generous, he sees. When we are afraid or anxious, he sees. He even sees us when we’re trying to hide.

He invites us to come out of hiding, and he waits for our response. Jesus always sees. And he looks on us with grace, love, and forgiveness.

“You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.” – Psalm 139:2-3

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Sometimes he just does.

“The dearest friend on earth is a mere shadow compared to Jesus Christ.” – Oswald Chambers

When we’re in trouble, or sad, or anxious, we turn to prayer. We are supposed to do that, and we find comfort in reaching out to God for help.

But I have been noticing something as I read the Gospels: When Jesus was here, he looked for those he could help. Sometimes they came and asked him to do something. At other times, he saw their need and simply filled it. The feeding of the 5,000 was like that, right? We don’t have a record of the people clamoring for food. He just knew they were hungry, and he miraculously fed them.

Once he saw a funeral procession leaving a small town. A young man had died and was being taken out for burial. His mother, who was a widow, was in the procession and weeping. Jesus, we are told, commanded the young man to come back to life. And he did. But no one asked Jesus to intervene. He just did.

Another time he walked up to a paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda and said, “Do you want to be healed?” The man didn’t really answer that question, but Jesus healed him anyway. Just because he wanted to.

I’m thinking there are times when he does those things for us, too. If we are his, he wants to help even when we don’t ask. And maybe we recognize his hand maybe we don’t. But I like the idea that he is guiding my decisions, protecting my path, and seeing to my well being just because that’s who he is. It’s so good to have my Savior as my friend!

“As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” – Psalm 103:13

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Living and Dying

“What was once foolishness to us—a crucified God—must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world.” – John Piper

Jesus lived an exemplary life on earth. We learn so much by looking in on his interactions with all kinds of people – the wise and the uneducated, the poor and the rich, the strong and the weak, the young and the old. He showed us how to live.

He also showed us how to die.

His death was for the redemption of the world, but he did die. And his deathbed was a cross. He had last wishes, last words, and last acts. What did he model for us?

He cared about those he was leaving behind. He looked down from the cross and saw his mother with her heart breaking. He also saw his disciple John and asked him to take care of Mary as if she were his own mother. Jesus was suffering unspeakably, but remembered the pain his death would bring to others.

He forgave those who hurt him. The soldiers had whipped him, mocked him, driven nails through his hands and feet. In spite of all that, Jesus prayed for their forgiveness.

He prayed. While he was on the cross, he was communing with the Father, and that connection was so intense that he was desperate when God temporarily turned away from him. He could not bear being separated from his Father in Heaven.

If this was the way Jesus chose to deal with his dying day, it might also be a formula for us – for living and for dying: Caring about others, forgiving those who’ve hurt us, and talking to God.

“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:6

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The kind of person who . . .

“True Christlikeness, true companionship with Christ, comes at the point where it is hard not to respond as he would.” – Dallas Willard

I have been revisiting The Ten Commandments lately and realizing the commands to honor parents, respect property rights, tell the truth, not to be envious, put God first, and so on are as relevant today as they were then. So, what do we do?

We can do our best to keep them, but that’s been proven for centuries to be impossible.

Or we can start right now to ask God to make us into the kind of people for whom keeping the commands is automatic. Instead of thinking “I can’t fudge on my tax return because God says not to,” we say “I am no longer the kind of person who steals.” Do you see the difference? It’s about inner change, not just outward behavior. It becomes part of our nature to never want to do anything that would hurt God or another human being by not following the way of life as defined in God’s law.

How does God change our character to be persons who always do what is right and just and true? By spiritual disciplines: Prayer, worship, Bible reading/meditation, relationships with other believers, and even by trials that we go through. He molds us. Makes us more like people who are enabled to do what he wants, who long to please him, who love him completely, and love others as we love ourselves.

It will never work by trying harder. It only works by yielding to the One who can make us into people who think and act like Jesus. It’s a long journey. Are you in?

“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” – Romans 13:10

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The Judge

“If you want to see what judgment looks like, go to the cross. If you want to see what love looks like, go to the cross.” – D.A. Carson

I went to court once just as support for a friend who was fighting against a person who reneged on a contract. It seemed obvious to us that the law was on her side. It should be a slam dunk.

But, as we walked into the courtroom, I realized that the matter now was entirely out of her control. The judge’s ruling would be what she would have to live with. Her fate was in his hands.

I have to admit that created some stress in me. Then I thought about the fact that Jesus is returning someday to judge the world. It won’t be enough to have lived a pretty good life. None us can live up to what is required in the heavenly court.

There is a way to avoid that judgment: Settle out of court! Jesus invites us to come to him now so we can know him as Savior and then not have to face him as judge. Our record will be clean because he will have paid our penalty. Those who choose not to accept Jesus’s payment in this life will stand before him as Judge where opinions, excuses, and apologies won’t make a difference.

Take care of the charges against you while you can because once the Judge enters the room, it’s out of your hands. And his decision will be final. No arguing, no appeals. It will just be as it is – forever.

“It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” – Romans 8:33a-34

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Start with one.

“Our efforts to be useful bring out our powers for usefulness. We have latent talents and dormant faculties, which are brought to light by exercise.” – Charles Spurgeon

We usually know the things we are good at and we like doing them. But what about things we aren’t so good at? Sometimes it’s not that we’ve tried and failed, it’s that we haven’t tried at all. And some of the things we should try are those commanded by God himself.

I’m thinking now about compassion. Jesus was the perfect example of compassion. We see it as he healed the sick, wept at his friend’s grave, talked with a Samaritan women, and fed hungry crowds. How can we learn to feel compassion for those in need and then act on that feeling as Jesus did?

For some people, that’s easy. They exude compassion and they act accordingly. For others of us, it’s more of an effort. But it’s an effort the Holy Spirit will empower us to make because he is making us more like Jesus.

Maybe we learn it like we learn any new skill: One step at a time. If we want to grow our compassion for others, we can begin by showing compassion to one person. That’s not too hard, right? Find someone in need and let yourself care. Then act. Maybe they need groceries, a listening ear, help writing a resume, relationship advice, spiritual counsel, or transportation to an appointment. There are many ways we can help, but first we have to care.

I’m learning that one act of compassion will stimulate more. Over time we might find ourselves caring more deeply, loving others just as Jesus commanded. It’s OK to start small. Start with one.

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” – Proverbs 11:25

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Hallowed be Thy Name

“Love means doing all we can, at whatever cost to ourselves, to help people be enthralled with the glory of God. When they are, they are satisfied and God is glorified. Therefore loving people and glorifying God are one.” – John Piper

We all know people who don’t even want to talk about Jesus because they have been hurt or disappointed by Christians. I don’t want to be one of those who say they follow Jesus, but live unlovingly or angrily.

One of the best known of the Ten Commandments is “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” Many think that means we shouldn’t speak God’s name in the wrong way. Biblically, there’s a lot more to it than that.

The word for vain has the same root as the word for vanity in the book of Ecclesiastes. It means something is without meaning, value, or substance. So, taking God’s name in vain is taking up his name without giving it meaning or value by the way we live. It means living in ways that make people think less of God, not more.

The same thing applies to taking Jesus’s name lightly – saying we follow Jesus and not acting like it. Paul cautions about that when he says, “. . . we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” If we are Christians, people should see we are not carrying his name lightly. We’ll make mistakes, for sure, but over time we should be getting more and more like the person whose name we claim. Let’s make sure the way we live makes people want to know our Jesus.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12b

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In trouble? Desperate? Exhausted?

“When we come to the end of ourselves, we come to the beginning of God.” – Billy Graham

There are appropriate times for long prayers. Sometimes we plead with God for something or we pray and then spend time listening for a response. But there are other times when a short prayer will do just fine.

Remember when Jesus was walking on the water at night and in the middle of a storm? When Peter realized it was Jesus, he asked if he could walk on water, too. Jesus invited him to come. Once out of the boat, Peter experienced the ferocity of the storm, and he began to sink. He was in trouble. He prayed, but he didn’t start with worship or confession of sins. He just cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30). Charles Spurgeon, commenting on this passage, says that when it comes to prayer, “Not length, but strength is desirable.”

There are other short prayers in the Bible, too. There was a Canaanite woman who approached Jesus about her daughter who had a demon. After their discussion, she pleaded, in desperation, “Lord, help me” (Matthew 15:26). And he did.

And way back in Israel’s history, we find Nehemiah, working relentlessly with many others rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. While he worked, he was being taunted and threatened. He pushed on with the project, sending up this urgent prayer, “. . . O God, strengthen my hands.” The taunters were rebuffed, and the wall was finished in just fifty-two days! (Nehemiah 6:9b)

God hears all kinds of prayers, whether read from a liturgy or conversational in format. But, when we’re in trouble or desperate or exhausted, a short heartfelt prayer will do. Just call out to him!

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16b

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Even so, come.

“It is the only ray of hope that shines as an ever-brightening beam in a darkening world.” – Billy Graham speaking about Jesus’ return

Jesus spent his ministry inviting people to come to him, to follow him. And many did. In him they found a teacher, friend, and savior.

He still invites us to come:

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” – John 7:37

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”– Matthew 11:28

We don’t have to get all cleaned up or wear our best clothes to come to Jesus. We don’t have to know a lot about the Bible either. The early followers came as they were: curious, cautious, ignorant, but wanting to know more, wanting to be with him. That’s how we come, too. And, as we yield to him and include him in our lives and prayers and decisions day-by-day, we learn to know him better. We keep coming back to the one who gives us real life, quenches our thirst, and offers rest from our struggle.

Before his crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples he would die, rise again, and return to the Father, but, at some point in history, he would come back. Jesus returned to Heaven 40 days after his resurrection. He is there now, but as he was ascending into the sky, two angels appeared and reassured the watching disciples that he would come back.

After all the invitations Jesus has given to come to him, to follow him, we now can turn the tables by anticipating that great day when he will come again to earth – as our Lord and King. While we wait, we breathe this prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

“Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! – Revelation 22:20b

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He wants to be found.

“When your world is rocked, you don’t want philosophy or theology as much as you want the reality of Christ.” – Lee Strobel

If you’ve ever lost track of a young child, your concern moves to panic pretty quickly as you search for him.

When I read about Joseph and Mary trekking back to Nazareth with their neighbors and extended family after celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem, I think of that sense of panic. They had walked for an entire day before they realized 12-year-old Jesus wasn’t with them. They apparently assumed he was part of the Nazareth group, hanging out with friends or cousins as they walked.

Of course, the story ends well. They go back to Jerusalem, then spend a day in the city searching for him before they find him in the Temple discussing theology with the religious leaders.

What struck me, though, is that Jesus was missing and they didn’t know it. If Jesus went missing on us, how long would it be before we noticed? That won’t happen, of course, because Jesus has promised never to leave us, but too often we live as though he has walked away. We forget to talk to him, to ask him for guidance, or to thank him for his goodness to us.

The reality is that sometimes his presence is so real we feel we can reach out and touch him. At other times, we’re not sure he even hears our prayers. The life of faith enables us to believe his promise never to leave us and, when it feels like he’s far away, he can be found.

Jesus has not gone missing. He’s here. He’s close. He’s waiting for us to reach out to him. He wants to be found.

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” – 1 Chronicles 16:11