IF CHRIST WAS AMONG US

IF CHRIST WAS AMONG US

 Random Thought: ‘Wouldn’t the world be much better off if JESUS CHRIST, THE MESSIAH, actually lived AMONG us?’  It’s something to really think about, isn’t it?  So prayerfully consider the following story.

 There was once an old stone monastery tucked away in the middle of a picturesque forest.  For many years people would make the significant detour required to experience this splendid monastery.  The peaceful spirit of that place was emotional 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 all 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 asked 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 travelers again found their way to the monastery, the word rapidly spread about the remarkable spirit of that place.  People once again sojourned to the monastery and afterwards found themselves renewed and transformed.  All of this came about because those monks KNEW that 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!  Our Living Lord was revealed (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)

 Consider this.  Some have an unhealthy tendency to develop SPIRITUAL AMNESIA, i.e. to forget that CHRIST is always near and absolutely aware of our attitudes and actions.  In fact, far too many ‘believers’ have become 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 radically transform our attitudes, habits, decisions and lifestyles?  I’m confident that it would.  But guess what?  Jesus is NOT merely a next-door neighbor.  JESUS LIVES…WITH US…and…IN US!  So, from now on, let everything that we do and say reflect His presence and His power.  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!