IF CHRIST LIVED AMONG US

IF CHRIST lived AMONG US

Random Thought: “Wouldn’t the world be better off if THE MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST, actually lived AMONG us?”  It’s something to really think about, isn’t it?  Prayerfully ponder the following story.

Once there was an old stone monastery tucked away in the middle of a picturesque forest.  For many years people would make the significant detour that was required to seek out and see this monastery.  The peaceful spirit of the place seemed to offer healing for the troubled soul.

However, over the passage of time, fewer and fewer people made their way to the monastery.  Why?  The monks had grown jealous and petty in their relationships with one another, and their animosity was soon sensed by anyone who visited.

The Abbot of the monastery was extremely distressed by what was happening, and he poured out his heart to his good friend, Jeremiah.  Jeremiah was a wise old Jewish rabbi.  Having heard the Abbot’s tale of woe, he wondered if he could offer a suggestion.  “Please do,” responded the Abbot, “anything you can offer.”

Jeremiah said he had received a very important vision: The MESSIAH was alive and living among the ranks of the monks.  The Abbot was flabbergasted.  One among his own was the Messiah!  Who could it be?  He knew it wasn’t himself, but who?  He raced back to the monastery and shared this exciting news with his fellow monks.

The monks grew silent as they looked into each other’s faces.  Was this one, or that one, the MESSIAH?

From that day on, the atmosphere in the monastery changed radically.  Joseph and Ivan started talking again, neither wanting to be guilty of slighting the Messiah.  Pierre and Thomas left behind their frosty attitudes and sought each other’s forgiveness.  The monks began serving each other, proactively looking for opportunities to assist, always seeking healing and forgiveness where any offense had been given.

As more travelers found their way to the monastery, the word soon spread about the remarkable spirit that existed there.  People once again sojourned to the monastery and afterwards found themselves renewed and transformed.  All of this came about because those monks KNEW that the MESSIAH was among them.

At the outset of this devotional, I asked a ‘loaded’ question: “Wouldn’t the world be better off if THE MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST, actually lived AMONG us?”  The answer is quite simple: CHRIST DOES LIVE AMONG US!  The Living Lord was revealed (approximately two millennia past) as “EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is “GOD WITH US.” (Matthew 1:23)  Thereafter, He promised never to leave or forsake us. (I Samuel 12:22 – John 14:18 – Matthew 28:20) THE MESSIAH IS HERE...AMONG US.

Consider this.  Some have a tendency to develop SPIRITUAL AMNESIA, i.e. to forget that HE is always near and aware.  In fact, far too many ‘believers’ are PRACTICAL ATHEISTS, which means we PROFESS that there is a God, but we LIVE as if there is no God.  It’s time for a change.  Let’s start living as if JESUS CHRIST is our next door neighbor.  Wouldn’t that totally transform our attitudes, our habits, our decisions and our lifestyles?  I am confident that it would.  But guess what?  Jesus is NOT only our next-door neighbor.  JESUS LIVES…NOT ONLY WITH US…but…IN US!  So, from now on, let everything that we do and say reflect His presence. JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED…AND THEREFORE THE MESSIAH LIVES AMONG US!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!