“Was Jesus There?” by Tim Childs

     A popular phrase that was heard a few years ago was: “What would Jesus do?”  The question is one that will always be valid as long as the world stands.  It is a question that seeks to get at the mind and spirit of Jesus and apply heavenly principles to everyday worldly affairs.  We are talking about the application of heaven’s way in real world settings.  “What would Jesus do?” Really.

     “What would Jesus do” can best be answered by a serious, honest quest to learn and know what Jesus did.  We know Jesus as man of courage and grace who did not seek political points or worldly favor.  He was a man of bold, decisive action whose course was directed exclusively by the will of his Father in heaven.

     Recently another question of like import came to mind: “Was Jesus There?”  Unfortunately it seems that all too often we think of Jesus and God, the Father, as being far away in the distance as if they must be distracted and unaware of my decisions, words and behavior.  We may tend to forget that God is not some “impersonal force” out there somewhere.  He is personally aware of you and me as persons…distinct individuals with real needs and “not just a number.”

     Since I wear Christ’s name, being a Christian, it is proper for me to reflect upon the question at hand: “Was Jesus There?” In the past I have been in church business meetings and heard of other such meetings in other places, and one must stop and ask “Was Jesus There?”  Regrettably, sometimes the tone and attitudes expressed do not seem to indicate much of Jesus’ presence and spirit.  “My brethren, this ought not to be.”

     When we met together for Bible Study and Worship…Was Jesus There?  Was I reverent during this solemn hour?  Did I bow my head and really pray?  Did I turn the pages of my Bible to read and study along that I might be spiritually fed?  Did my behavior indicate an awareness of the sense of awe and reverence that should be in my heart as I come before the King of the universe?  Was Jesus There?  Was “his mind and spirit” represented in and through me today?