Helping “Them” Really See—JESUS!
The question came after many dinners shared, after time spent together, after helping them with their current need, and after many conversations.
We can walk up to someone randomly and spout: “Jesus Saves!”
If the Holy Spirit leads us to do such a thing, then He will see us through, but if we do such a thing in our own timing, our own plans, or our own whatever, then we may or may not make a stranger see Jesus as we hope.
Instead, one of the ways to make a difference, to help another SEE JESUS is to spend time with them through meals, conversations, daily tasks, and love. It is Jesus Himself who revealed this path for us to follow.
Jesus was often confronted by people who saw Him but did not believe “in” Him. One such occasion came right after He fed the massive crowd of men, women, and children with the boy’s five loaves and two fishes. After performing that miracle, we find that even though they were filled physically, still they retained an emptiness—spiritually. See the words of Jesus.
“But I said to you that you have indeed seen Me, and yet you do not believe.”
(John 6: 36 NASB)
Is that possible?
Can we see but not really SEE JESUS?
Does God know our heart, even before we know our heart?
See the words of Jesus.
“But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him.
(John 6: 64-65 NASB)
And He was saying, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”
The question came up during our conversation as we shared dinner together at a local restaurant. We had enjoyed a couple of university ballgames, and now we had chosen to share a meal together at a “new” place for us. See the three of us sitting there within the rustic setting. One ate chicken tenders; One ate grilled chicken; and One ate beef tips. Now, truly what we placed inside our mouths is not important to know; however, it is important for us to realize that when we love as Jesus teaches, then we must love in extravagance. We should never invite those we are “loving in Jesus name” out to eat and then not offer to pay for their meal. If God is in it; God will see us through it! Always!
We had shared many meals, some around my kitchen table, some at restaurants.
We had shared many conversations, some light-hearted and some not.
Yet this conversation was different.
God’s Holy Spirit was there, giving me the words to say as the conversation progressed.
“My mom believes that a person’s life is pre-determined. She said that she believes this because some people die in sudden, unexpected ways while others survive amazing events that should be life-ending.”
Immediately, I knew the Holy Spirit of God was prompting this conversation.
Immediately, I began to silently pray, asking for guidance.
My husband tells me all the time that asking questions is “my thing,” so I did just that: I followed this precious girl’s statement about life with a question.
Looking directly into her eyes, I asked her: “What do you believe?”
People are born with an innate desire to know God. The Bible tells us so. Children are prone to believe their parents. This was not the exception as she responded, “I believe that someone’s life and death are pre-determined.”
Although she did not actually use the word GOD in her statement, I knew this was a God-moment. There were three of us sitting there at the table, two students and me. One was talking about her mom’s beliefs and the other student was listening. I could feel their eyes on me.
Immediately, I continued to pray.
Looking directly at the one who spoke about her mom’s beliefs, I said, “The Bible tells us that our days are numbered from the moment God places us in our mother’s womb.”
That statement led to this precious one asking a question: “Would you want to know the day?”
Would we want to know the day of our death, pre-determined by God from our creation, if we could—know? This was deep.
Immediately, I continued to pray.
If God had given me this conversation as the LAST conversation with these two because it was my LAST DAY of my LIFE, “Would I want to know that IT WAS THE LAST DAY OF MY LIFE?” & “Would I have allowed myself to be led by the Holy Spirit to say even more about my Savior Jesus?”
The three of us determined between us that NO, we would not want to know because knowing may cause us to live recklessly and irresponsibly.
We (who belong to God) are called to prepare ourselves through Bible study for conversations such as this. We (God’s children) are to help others within our reach see—Really See—JESUS. We (the redeemed) need to love as Jesus loved others, giving our time, talents, and money, as God leads us to give. We (the believers) need to be ready for the deep questions that will come, and we can only be prepared in one way—WE MUST DAILY POSITION OURSELVES TO SHARE TIME WITH OUR FATHER!
We are the lambs of God, mankind, and God desires that ALL come to know Him. That is why God came to earth to dwell among us through flesh and blood in the person of His Only Son Jesus. God wants us to know Him in relationship. God wants us to believe in Jesus as our Savior and our Lord. God wants us to be filled with His Holy Spirit.
As we do what God wants, then whatever day God has numbered as our “last” day, it will not matter because our eternal position will be secure—within God’s presence. See the words of the prophet Isaiah.
“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
(Isaiah 40: 11 NASB)
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in the fold of His robe;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”
What a beautiful picture of the way the Lord our Shepherd cares for us.
Jesus will.
Jesus will tend to us.
Jesus will gather us.
Jesus will carry us.
Jesus will lead us.
Jesus will do all of this as our Shepherd and our Lord.
So the question comes: Is Jesus our Shepherd & Jesus really our Lord?
For the answer to that question, Let us again see the words of Jesus as recorded in Luke’s Gospel.
“Another also said, ‘I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say goodbye to those at my home.’
(Luke 9: 61-62 NASB)
But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
JESUS IS GOD IN THE FLESH!
JESUS IS GOD!
JESUS CAN SEE INTO A PERSON!
If Jesus really is the Lord of our lives, then we will follow Him—unconditionally!
If Jesus really is the Lord of our lives, then we will follow Him—with no “if” or “but” attached.
If Jesus really is the Lord of our lives, then we will follow HIM!
May we take serious Jesus’ Great Commission!
May we help “them” REALLY SEE—JESUS!
Maybe today is the day to decide—We will make a commitment to faithfully follow our Father!
The melody “Love Song For A Savior” by Jars of Clay is one that wonderfully fits how we need to fall in love with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Listen today and be reminded of the love-affair we need more than anything—with the One we most desperately need!