I was sitting on my apartment balcony the other day, enjoying the view over the trees and the houses to the blue of Lake Ontario, on the southeastern horizon. As I looked over at the matching balcony chair beside me, the thought struck me, "What if Jesus was sitting there?"
Suppose a stranger knocked at my door and, when I answered, he struck up
an enchanting conversation about Scripture. Suppose I then invited him in and
sat him in that matching chair. Suppose further that his conversation was all
about prophecy in the Old Testament concerning what the Jews called "That
Prophet". Suppose still further that as my heart was warmed and my mind
was thrilled and stimulated, I suddenly realized Who my Guest was! What would I
do?
I don't know for sure about myself, but there are a
few people in Scripture who had just such an experience. For example, there
were Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus. When they recognized this
Stranger, He disappeared; their response was to rush back to Jerusalem in the
dark and tell their friends the wonderful news.[1]
Then there was "doubting" Thomas. His
recognition provoked that eternal exclamation, "My Lord and my God!"[2]
Mary Magdalene didn't recognize Him either, but when
the "gardener" spoke her name in that familiar voice, she wanted
to cling to Him.[3]
All these believers reacted from the heart when they
realized this Stranger was Jesus. I trust that my response will be appropriate
too, but I think the centurion, Cornelius, in Caesarea, had exactly the right
idea. He misdirected his response and fell at the feet of Peter instead.
Perhaps for a moment he mistook Peter for Jesus. I think his heart full of
worship was still credited; not many moments later the Holy Spirit came on him
in power.[4]
So, what would I do? I still don't know, but I trust
that somehow the Lord will get every breath of worship I have in me to
offer Him.
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