Finding Jesus

Finding Jesus

And the three people I admire the most, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

They caught the last train for the coast, the day the music died……… Don McLean

We live in a post-Christian world, or at least a post-church world. It is not that Christian and church do not exist, but they no longer have “preferred” status in many places where once they did.  In fact, with some people and in some circles, they are viewed with suspicion if not disdain.

And yet, both church and Christian have reason for hope, our God is not dead, He does not sleep neither does He slumber (Ps. 121:3-4).  If only we could get folks to take notice of Jesus like the officials from Acts 4:13 “took note that they (disciples) had been with Jesus.”  If only we could help both the world at large and the western Christian who may want either to panic or hide, to notice Jesus. He is the Risen Savior. He is working in His church and in the world with thousands coming to faith daily. How do we see this, how do we get in on this in a world with so many viewpoints and so many choices?

The church must learn to look, know how to see, and point in Jesus’ direction.  He is here. He is sovereign. He is calling. How can we notice Jesus? Look into the people’s faces, in the shopworn, in the kind eyes or in dancing, darting eyes; in the tensed drawn expressions or relaxed, peaceful looks you will either find Him or the need for Him. Look for Him also in ordinary places like the convenience store, the grocery store, the pharmacy, and the gym—where people are living life or trying to.

He is pretty easy to find in the pain of life, the pain pierces and we cry out to nearly anyone who will listen. With a little help, thought, guidance, we find He is there and has been all along. Ah, but He is found in the pleasures of life just as well. In the marvel of the world and its turnings in exquisite detail, in voice-silencing beauty, muscle-pulling laughter, and the joys of human love from childhood to sainthood, He is alive and well. He has not abandoned us for the coast. His music has not died.

Let’s take to looking for and finding Jesus in the people, places, pain, and the pleasures of life.  Once you notice Him, He will draw you to Him; and He draws us in to love us. Once we get the hang of finding Jesus like this, even in a “post-Christian, post-church” world,  we will have a better opportunity of helping folks in this world find Jesus themselves. Then an interesting truth will emerge: when we think we’ve gotten pretty good at finding Jesus we discover that it was Him finding us all along.

They also will answer, 'Lord , when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'   Matt. 25:39-40

But now I’m found,

Cos