Reading 14—Where Do You See Jesus?
Read Mark 10:46-11:33
The healing of a blind man, a parade, an object lesson with a fig tree, a spiritual housecleaning, and a confrontation with authority—these are the ways that Mark lets us see Jesus very shortly before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
So, where do we see Jesus? Do we see him as the miracle-working Lord of healing and hope? Do we see him as the triumphant king riding in glory? Do we see him in the simple things of life that speak to our hearts, things such as nature, the unexplained, or the mystical? Perhaps we see him best when we undergo a spiritual reorientation of our lives, when the detritus and clutter is swept out and our preconceived notions and stale ignorance is removed. It may be that we see this King of Kings and Lord of Lords when he stands up to the authorities that perpetuate the oppression and marginalization of the poor and the outcast, when he and his followers are challenged by those who ask, “Hey, who said you could do these things? You’re upsetting the status quo, you know?”
Ask yourself: Where do I see Jesus? If it’s only during Sunday worship, then perhaps your world needs to be expanded—perhaps you don’t get out enough! Where is Jesus’ entry point in your life? Is it when prayers for healing are answered and only then? Does he come only when you are in deep meditation or prayer? Does he appear when you are involved in social justice causes and only those?
Perhaps we all could spend time seeking Jesus where we are least comfortable rather than simply waiting for him to ride into our lives at our convenience.
Where do you see Jesus?
Where have you seen Jesus when you least expected his appearance?
What area of your life needs to be more open to Jesus’ arrival?
Lord, allow me to be open to your coming whenever and wherever that may be. Amen.
Peter Brown has been a pastor in the ELCA and its predecessor bodies for over 40 years, serving congregations in Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida, including an adjunct teaching position at Lenoir-Rhyne University. He is currently serving St. Thomas, Charlotte, having failed at retirement. You can usually find him walking, reading, or plunking out a tune on his guitar, or getting in the way of his long-suffering wife, Ann.
