Where is He?

Today’s Reading: John 11:55-57(NIV)

55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t He coming to the Feast at all?” 57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, He should report it so that they might arrest Him.

Good morning!

Have you ever tried to catch up with someone in a crowd and couldn’t seem to find them? I’ve had this experience several times; most recently at the United Methodist General Conference in Fort Worth. Over the last two years, I’ve spoken online with many new friends from around the world. It is a true blessing to meet and greet people who live in different cultural settings, whose life experiences have intersected with mine. They have made a lasting impression on me. There were some people with whom I was hoping to meet face-to-face while visiting Fort Worth. Maybe I missed seeing them because I was only there for a few days, and maybe I walked right by them and didn’t even know it. Why didn’t I recognize their faces? For all I know, they could have been standing right next to me on the sidewalk just outside the convention center. I wonder - did they see me? Did they recognize who I am?

The people were looking for Jesus. They had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast together. The people had gathered for a very special event; the party was just getting started and everyone was delighting in the company of their own family and friends. Still, many were searching for the man from Galilee. “Where is He?” they asked. “Isn’t He coming to the biggest celebration of the season?” Some folk truly wanted to meet the Lord, to shake His hand and connect face-to-face with the Master. Others simply wanted to identify who He was, take a sneak peak at the gentleman who was wanted for questioning by the Jewish authorities. Regardless of their motivation, people were looking for the Lord and no one could find Him there.

If you’ve ever wandered around looking for Jesus and you can’t seem to find Him, stop and wait. Why, Jesus Christ may be standing right next to you and me today, and somehow in our tunnel vision, we’ve missed meeting Him! You see, when the Lord Jesus Christ shows up, everything changes. This party is no longer about us, our personal preferences, our friends, our agendas – it is all about Him. When we focus our hearts and minds on only finding each other, we may miss seeing the Lord Jesus Christ in our midst.

Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20b) He is here now. He was here yesterday, today and He will be here forevermore. Are we so busy trying to catch up with each other that we may miss out on seeing Jesus?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

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