will the [real Jesus] please stand up…

So it
is the week leading up to Easter 2010. The usual resurrection and
saving of sins lingo are becoming more apparent. Our celebration of
the weekend where Jesus was crucified and resurrected is fast
approaching. From the Bible’s Gospel accounts, and following books, we know that Jesus
appeared to the 12 disciples [Mark 16:14], His women followers [Matt
28:9], His brothers whom he instructed to meet him in Galilee [Matt
28:10], Mary Magdalene [Mark 16:9], and in Jerusalem in the upper
room when God sent the Spirit of Christ. After His resurrection,
Jesus had appeared to many over the 40 days [Acts 1 and 2] just
before His ascension to Heaven not before proclaiming to them to be
His witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the
Earth.

So we
see that Jesus Christ had revealed Himself to a multitude of people
over a span of 40 days. Most of which was never documented.

The
question I have for us nearly two millenia later, is would we
recognize Him? On nearly half of the accounts of Jesus appearing
there were skeptics and doubters. Even in the upper room the ever
present doubter himself Thomas was questioning if it was Him.

Ok,
so He is just one man. I would guess He is around 5’11” to 6’4”
depending on which convenient store He was walking out of. I am about
100% sure He was and is Jewish (note: the “is” would connote He
is alive and well). Would He be thin or heavy set? I would have to go
out on a limb and suggest that being the Son of God, He would
probably be one of the healthiest of any human being who walked the
Earth… knowing that because of Him the laws of physics stay in
place as they do so magnificently. Does He run? Does He walk briskly
past a typical commotion or does He stop to see what the fuss is
about. What would he wear? A tunic? Straight slim jeans? Khakis or
cordoroy? Zip-up hoodie or a pull over? V-neck or white tee? Would Jesus today drive a
car? A hybrid maybe? Escalade hybrid? Rolls Royce or how bout a big
gas guzzler? Would Jesus have voted on California’s Prop 8? What
political party would He be in?

I
don’t think many people would actually recognize Him. I
for one don’t think He would spend all that much time in America.
Although I could see Him flipping over some tables here and there. I
think we would ‘hear’ about Him more than we would ‘see’ Him. Stories
from around the globe would be pouring in of miracles and healings.
Communities would be strong and disciples would be made in record
amounts.

The
sad truth, and here is where things take a turn, is He already is
here. He has been amongst us for a long time. When you do a quick
look through the Bible to find out where exactly God dwelt through
the ages you would find just a few places. Heaven, Tabernacle,
Temple, Jesus, and Christ. You have a curious look on your face. What
does He mean Jesus and Christ?

Go
read Matthew 1:17. That verse makes a statement about the prior 16
verses that, once you add it up you will get it. May not make sense
at first [please find a Bible or click the link below — read it then
come back to blog – very important]

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A1-17&version=NIV

[Thanks
to Andrew Shearman for teaching this more succinctly]

Christ
is the generation. Christ is us. You may not see Christ because you
may have not known that He dwells in you. He dwells also in the victims.
He resides in hurt and pain. He consoles those who are lost. He
understood there are no enemies on Earth. Our battles are spiritual
battles to be waged with spiritual weapons. Put on the armor of
Christ if you want to fight this war. Don’t be quick to allocate evil
within the world. Evil is REAL but it is not a real THING. We are
spiritual beings residing in Earthly bodies.

When
Christ said to wait in the upper room. He was going to send His
paraclete – which is the Greek word for ‘one who consoles and
intercedes equally on behalf’. Jesus was sending His Holy Spirit. And
by the power of God and His authority he transforms us and ‘our nature’
into a ‘Christ-like nature’ as long as we are open to receiving Him.

The
reason you don’t see Christ is you don’t want to be Him. Oh sure we
admire the saints but as a culture don’t admire the passion to be
one. We collectively talk about how amazing Mother Teresa is as well
as the saints of old – Peter, Paul, Augustine, Aquinas, Ignatius,
etc, etc, but we scoff at the fanatics who are on their way to
becoming one. The crazy people who think they can make a difference.

The
most awakening and sobering news is the 42^nd generation
that is talked about in Matthew 1:16 is us! Christ in me! Christ in
me! The hope of glory!

How
long do we wait? We write books on when Jesus will return. Jesus probably chuckled with those who asked Him. “Hey Jesus, when will you return
and who will get to go with you?” to which He replies, “You won’t
know… just strive to enter in! Narrow is the gate.”

We
have created organizations, clubs, groups, churches, and followings
all in the name of demanding change from others! WE ARE THE CHANGE!
We are Christ! Bloody hands and bloody feet. His elbows and joints…
we are His flesh walking around. I don’t know the last time you
checked your science book but GOOD and EVIL aren’t part of ‘the physical world’ but yet its still in our “DNA”
you could say. We aren’t 3D bodies slowly deteriorating away in a
elemental universe.

So
where is Christ? Look in the mirror. He is just waiting (not begging
and surely not tricking or persuading), but he is just being patient.
Waiting for us to make the move towards Him.

I saw
a recent article of a megachurch in the U.S. that is giving away
nearly 4.5 million dollars worth of prizes including flatscreen TV’s,
15 cars, gift bags… the whole 9— this coming weekend of Easter. The
pastor and their staff really believe that ‘giving out goodies and
doing raffles’ will entice more to come and I quote “We’re going
to give some stuff away and say, ‘Imagine how great heaven is going
to be if you feel that excited about a car. It’s completely free –
all you have to do is receive him.”

The offer of Christ to you is not one of bribery or persuasion. It is
one of Love. No gimmicks or trade-offs. I can’t imagine coming down
from speaking His most famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’, only for Peter
to stand and announce a raffle for 15 young donkeys. Jesus tells the
crowd, “Just think — if you are happy with this donkey, you
would be even happier with me!”

We
collectively won’t be able to change the world by waiting for someone
else to do it. We certainly won’t get much accomplished bantering
about what approach is the best… liberal or conservative. Jesus is
the approach. He gave us the model to work off of. His life.

This
Sunday when you go to the place where people are gathering to
celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and how our sins are wiped away, thank God and tell him thank you for sending His Son so that we may
be like Him.