The other day I saw a video of the song Jesus Emmanuel, The Name Lives On by
David Phelps. It is from his album Life is a Church. It shows Jesus in various situations, just
being with people, sometimes talking to them and sometimes just walking with
them or hugging them, depending on their need.
It is worth the 4 or so minutes it takes to watch it. You can see it here:
I particularly like the part where He is riding on the
back of the refuse lorry, helping the bin men collect the rubbish. It reminded me of an incident that happened
over 15 years ago. It was the custom at
that time to give the children at Sunday School some topics for prayer. I was taken to task because I had suggested
to them that we should pray for the refuse collectors. The gist of the complaint was that it was
understandable and acceptable to pray for professions like doctor, nurse,
teacher – those people who are considered to be fulfilling some vocation - but
why refuse collectors? My short reply
was simply, ‘why not?’ So I was
particularly pleased to see Jesus helping the men collect the rubbish and
putting it in the lorry, hanging on the back with the others as they drove
along. This is my Jesus, my God.
What I also noticed was that there were no images of
church buildings or anything to do with organised religion. It was all about Jesus being out there in
real life situations. I think it’s sad
that non-Christians think of Christianity (and Christians) as having to do with
a building, liturgy and candles, people dressed in long frocks and wearing
back-to-front collars and listening to a particular style of music. If God/Jesus is really in everyday life
situations, as I think most Christians really believe, then why is there such
insistence on going to a building usually on a Sunday morning to ‘meet with
God’? It’s as though there is some need
to go and fill up our spiritual supermarket trolleys so we are able to delve
into the stock in our spiritual cupboards during the following week when we
need to find a suitable verse or illustration. God is here, now. When Jesus met with Zacchaeus, it was outside
and then He went to his house to chat.
He met a crazy man among the graves, a woman at the well when she was
about her daily work … ... and we could go on with many more examples.
It’s not just about joining with other like-minded people
in a particular place to sing about Him or pray/talk to Him. It’s about living with Him every day in all
circumstances. He is the ever-present
one – He’s always there with us. Jesus
Emmanuel; God with us/me; now, here; at my point of need; in every part of my
life; my very real and true Friend.
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