Defining Moments

Would You Recognize Him?

The headline of the supermarket checkout stand rag might read: “Jesus Returns; Spotted at Gas Station!” Similar headlines have graced their front pages. However, when Jesus returns, there will be no mistaking that it’s Him. He won’t be the focus of fuzzy photos on tabloid covers taken during pur ported convenience store sightings, like Elvis. An Elvis sighting might be possible. But, such a Jesus sighting is not.

Simply happening upon Christ after He comes back is not an option. The Bible says that His appearance will be nothing subtle. The Apostle John writes, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him” (Rev. 1:7). But, what if He did sneak in and mingle among us for a while? Would you recognize Him?

In the gospel of Luke, we see such a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus; rather subtle and practically incognito. Two men, on the road to a village called Emmaus, don’t immediately recognize that it is the Lord who has joined them on their jaunt. It got me to think—if Jesus did appear in a non-spectacular way, based upon those who claim to represent Him today, would anyone recognize Him? I have a feeling it would be tough.

The only image of Christ many people have is that which they see in you and me. The chances of their opening the Scriptures are slim. Bible knowledge is on the decline (if one can decline from abysmal). So, excluding His Second Coming, the options for someone to see Jesus become either theophany (a supernatural appearance of God to man) or those of us who claim to be “little Christs” (Christians). Unfortunately, they might see a political Jesus, or a legalistic Jesus, or a hypocritical Jesus, or an uncaring Jesus, or a preoccupied-with-more-important-things Jesus, or a religious Jesus, or a condemning Jesus, etc.

On an episode of The O’Reilly Factor, Bill Maher—the comedian-turned-atheistic, self-styled social commentator and former host of “Politically Incorrect”—had a rare moment of astuteness. Even though he deplores religion and the very idea of faith in God (e.g., he called religion “a mass psychosis”), he claimed that he respected Jesus as a philosopher. He pointed out that the problem with Christians is that they don’t act like Christ. He suggested that we should consider calling ourselves “Christ-like-ians” as a reminder that we should act more like Him. Despite his vitriol toward people of faith, he had a point; an astute point.

Bill Maher’s idea of acting like Christ may differ from yours, mine and the Bible’s version of Christ-likeness, but he’s right about the fact that many Christians have strayed from the true expectations of Jesus. Some of us have come to despise the very people whom God has called us to help. Others hide Jesus behind the American flag and equate their patriotism with godliness. Still others practice such extreme weirdness in the name of Christ that their warped theology should exclude them from being designated as “Christian.”

The goal should be to help people view Jesus in such a way that when they do see Him, they not only recognize Him, but celebrate Him. If we do that, the tabloids just might have a legitimate sighting of Jesus, in you and me.

“We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2