What Will They See?

"Sir, we wish to see Jesus." - John 12:21

We still have outsiders asking this question. Granted, they don’t always use those words, nor do they always intend to ask it at all, yet, ask they do. There’s a good chance your neighbours are asking it now, or those who are seeking out your online streamed service who may never have attended a church before. I wonder, what will they see?

In these days of creativity, as the church in the West responds to the COVID-19 crisis, there is much to celebrate, but, there is much to be cautious of. In the quest to ‘meet differently’, or ‘find new means to do ministry’, we must be certain that whatever it is we upload, stream, and project, when all is said and done, that people will have encountered the living Jesus.

”Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Not our creativity. Not our cleverness. Not our technical aptitude. Not our smug self-assurance or condescending comments toward others who ‘see it different’. That’s not what they’re looking for. People out there are dying to see Jesus. Show them.

Or your scared neighbour who you’ve only ever smiled at in passing, or the lady behind the counter with her face-mask pulled tight, fearful eyes watching you approach — what will they see? Or who will they see?

Dear friend, show them Jesus. They are looking for him.