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Striking Appearance

Posted by Erik Hall on

In 2006 I led our youth group on our very first mission trip. We went to Thousandsticks UMC, Kentucky. Pastor Steve Springer was giving us our instructions and ‘pep-talk’ for the upcoming week. He said something that has remained with me all these years: “Keep your eyes open and pay attention while you are on this mission trip”, Pastor Springer said, “You WILL see Jesus. “I can’t tell you where, when, or how…   but I know he is present and working in the hearts and lives of those who are giving themselves to him like you all are doing. He may show up in the job well done, or in a smile from someone you helped, or in making a new friend, or in some other way that just strikes you…   Jesus is here”.

Oswald Chambers is quoted as saying, “being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing. Many people who have never seen Jesus have received and share in God’s grace. But once you have seen Him, you can never be the same. Other things will not have the appeal they did before.”

This Sunday we continue the Christmas celebration with Epiphany, which means ‘striking appearance’.

We are reminded from the Scriptures that in Jesus’ birth, Jesus’ life, even Jesus’ death, he wasn’t recognized, he wasn’t accepted, and he wasn’t understood. Only a few ever really saw him for who he was. A great example of this are the Magi who come looking for him. Great thinkers, wealthy royalty, and these wise men humbled themselves and worshipped the newborn king. Their eyes were open, their hearts were seeking, their lives were pledged…   and they saw Jesus.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.(Matthew 2:1-12)

Jesus is present and working in our lives. How often are we just going about our own business and don’t recognize, accept or understand him when he shows up? But, if we are giving ourselves to him, he appears strikingly in our lives all the time!

With Christmas fresh in our hearts…   and a brand new year before us…   let’s give ourselves to Jesus and watch him show up in our lives in some striking ways.