I Saw Jesus Today

Today I saw Jesus. He looked nothing like the white, Anglo-Saxon portraits of Jesus I see hanging in our church building.  In fact, a few times he did not even look like a he…I know it sounds crazy but I tell you he had the face of a she.  A few times today he looked older than I thought he would and then another time or two he looked much younger than I expected.  To tell the truth, every time I turned around his face looked different than what I saw a few minutes earlier.  But as different as he looked every time I looked, I was surprised at how sure I was that it was, without a doubt, Jesus. 

O, and get this…this will make you smile…today I saw Jesus where people say Jesus is no longer allowed to be…Yes, today I saw Jesus in a public school. 

I saw Jesus looking through the eyes of Barry and Janice Gowen.  Barry, shared the first and last names of some of the children he connected most with as he served at the Field Day we sponsored for a local public school.  I wondered for how many of those children it was the first time to have a positive Grandfather figure playing with, joking with and encouraging them.  I know it was special for them because kids flocked to Barry’s game table. And then there was his wife, Janice.  Janice did not give handshakes, she gave out hugs.  I never thought Jesus looked like a woman, but as she gushed over children today, I clearly saw Jesus in her smile.  The kids must have, too, because they certainly warmed up to her fast.

I watched Jesus’ hands at work through Heather Morris.  Heather, got down on her knees and helped a boy with physical disabilities put on his leg braces and shoes.  She patiently worked with him for a good ten minutes and the whole time she was speaking words of life and blessing over this little guy who was easily left in the dust of his classmates.  It was as if I was watching Jesus wash his disciple’s feet. 

I knew Jesus could do miracles, but I did not know Jesus did nails and tattoos.  Did you know that?  It’s true!  I saw him doing the nails of hundreds of dirty hand little girls and putting stick on tattoos on hundreds of boys through the work of Angela Estes, Mary Peterson, Andee Hanson and Victoria Pavlantos.  Sometimes it is surprising what Jesus will do to make a child feel special.

I watched Jesus give high fives and clap for kids as Jordan Kramer, Kelly Barr and Cynthia Ringer played bean bag toss and tin can knocked down with boys and girls.  Each time they made sure each child felt like a winner.  Now, I know that was Jesus because he died so we could win. 

If it takes 10 positive words to overcome one negative, then Cathy Hall, set many children free today.  I had no idea that Jesus had the voice of a woman, but each time I heard Cathy speak life over those children and I saw them eat it up like they had been starving for such nourishment, I knew that she was letting Jesus use her voice box. 

I watched Jesus feed the multitudes today as Claudia Rocus, Amanda Quinn, Kimberly Current and Cynthia McClellan filled around 300 bags with fresh popcorn.  It was hot and sticky and messy, but they did this mundane task as unto the Lord.  Jesus must like popcorn because in them I saw him taking on the role of a servant. 

Yes, servant…that is just the right word.  Jesus said he did not come to be served, but to serve.  No wonder when I looked into the eyes of Adam Nichols, Bob Vaughn, Jodie and Robert Orihel as they were helping with tear down or set up I thought I saw Jesus wearing four different faces.

I saw Jesus today and I can’t quite get over it.  I type these words fighting back tears and having a heart that is warmed.  I have a sense of reverence.  I am tempted to take off my shoes.  It’s humbles and enlivens all at once.  It’s something I want to talk about, but it is hard to put into words.  But I guess that is what it is like to be in the presence of Jesus.  Yes, today I saw Jesus and he looked nothing like I expected but exactly like the Bible says he does. 

Thank you to everyone who let Jesus be seen through your loving actions in preparation for and during our Field Day at Belle Stone Elementary!