I have to confess something I have been pondering for quiet a while, something that has held my heart and mind captive over the past several days, even weeks, something that I want to know deeply. I sent many of you the thought, and decided I would share with a larger audience.
Here it is...deep breath....
If I were alive when Jesus walked the earth, would I be one of the few, or just a part of the crowd?
I actually cringe when I think of that question. I do know Jesus as Lord and Savior of my life, however, would I really know him if he walked up to me. Would I know him enough to not have to hear an introduction come from his wise lips? Would I be able to look into his passionate eyes and recognize who the man was and what he did for me, without a word?
My best friend can walk up to me, and without a word, I recognize her and know exactly who she is and what she is all about! Would I know Christ my Savior THAT well?!
I pray I would, I long to know him passionately and intimately. I desire to sit at his feet and learn from the greatest teacher of all times, to hear the ardent exclamation of what life is truly about, and how to attain it, or how to love even in the midst of anger, or dislike. How to be satisfied with little or with plenty, and how to gain true happiness in either case. To learn to walk through the storms of life with my head held high, my mind truly focused on the end result, not just focused on the thunder and lightening flashing and clashing around my head. To recognize when I pass through a raging river, he will lead me safely to the other side, scripture tells me, “When you pass THROUGH the river, they will NOT sweep over you...” Isaiah 43:2 (He will not leave you in the midst of your struggle, and you will make it to the other side...)
I have been studying the book of John and the reoccurring theme of the chapter seems to be one that asks the question, do I know him intimately? Not just knowing about Jesus...which is NOT enough, but TRULY KNOWING him INTIMATELY, just as you know your best friend.
Many of the crowds around Jesus were well read in the scriptures and have an immense amount of book knowledge of who the Christ was, and what he would accomplish, however, they lacked one thing, the willingness of the heart to accept a gift given for ALL, not just the elite. They did not accept the fact that God sent someone to them who was not what the crowd expected, nor desired. Their expectations were of a regal king who would be respected by the crowd and others of their stature. Not a lowly man who was born in a mere manger stall, their expectations were for God to give them more...a regal king with the fanfare to boot.
There Jesus was, right in the midst of the crowd, the crowd talked and physically walked with him. The crowd came to see and hear Jesus, the crowd watched him perform miracles right before their eyes. The crowd wondered and talked about him...and sadly, the crowd missed it...they missed the opportunity to drink from the well of life. The crowd learned about Him in scripture, but when face to face with what the crowd claimed to be faithfully in wait for.....the crowd missed the obvious. He was there with the crowd, trying to tell them, to show them, but the crowd's hearts were not open to receiving the gift of life.
There were the few, however, that GOT IT! The few recognized him! The few were not the ones who were well read and maybe not even the brightest, however, they were THE FEW... Hallelujah for THE FEW!
So, back to that original question:
If you and I were alive back then, would I be one of the few....would you....or just another part of the crowd?
How about today...the few, or the crowd...you decide.
Mt 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
