Jesus sightings...

Have you ever seen those news reports about people who claim to have seen the face of Jesus miraculously appear in random objects?

All you got to do is google “Jesus Sightings” and you will come across some of the most bizarre, yet entertaining stories of people who see Jesus pretty much everywhere. I have recently come across websites where people have seen Jesus in all kinds of places. Check out this website which gives a top ten list of Jesus sightings which includes seeing Jesus in a fish stick, a x-ray, a pancake, a couch, a tailgate, and a tortilla (among others). Other websites have other Jesus sightings in objects such as a tree, a fence, and my personal favorite, a Cheetos Jesus



Most of us tend to dismiss these claims, and we usually enjoy a good laugh at their expense. But this topic brings us a serious question: WOULD YOU KNOW JESUS IF YOU SAW HIM?

Obviously, I am not talking about recognizing the Son of God in a potato chip or a fish stick. Rather, I am talking about knowing Jesus well enough to make him a part of your everyday life.

A large scale study of thousands of teenagers by Abilene Christian University found that “only 28% of churched teens report that they willingly and naturally turn to Jesus for assistance for daily problems.” Being a youth minister, that number staggered me. This study was not talking about unchurched teenagers. This study was talking about the churched teenagers. If that number holds true in the student ministry that I lead, it basically means that for every ten teenagers, less than three know Jesus well enough to count on him daily.

I wonder how or if the number would change if the study was directed towards adults. Would it change? Would it be a greater percentage or a lower percentage? In adult world, we have more education, life experience, knowledge, wisdom, tools, resources, and money to face our problems alone. Adults also tend to carry more pride that limits them from receiving and asking for help during difficult times. Do you count on Jesus daily?

I believe the problem lies in our knowing Jesus because the more we know and learn about Jesus, the more we will count on him daily. It is of utmost importance that each of us continue to grow in our relationship with Jesus and that we continue to pursue intimacy with our Saviour.

Think about it this way: whenever something good, something bad, or something pretty normal happens in your life, you probably have a person you go through everything with. That could be a best friend, a sibling, or a spouse. That person knows everything that is going on in your life and knows you intimately. Why can’t we have that kind of relationship with Jesus.

My prayer for us today is not that we miraculously see Jesus in a Cheetoh or a tortilla, but rather that we reach a level of intimacy with our Saviour where see him in our everyday lives. That we grow in our relationship with Jesus that goes beyond our church walls and beyond Sundays and (if you are a good Christian) Wednesdays.

Pray Philippians 3:8 & 10 (NIV) with me today, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death...”