Resources What Do You Think? July 2003

What Do You Think?

July 2003

"For those who haven’t yet enjoyed the feast, don’t waste time here – go to the real banquet."
      -- Bill Myers (Preface to Eli)

I read a good book recently – Eli by Bill Myers. For me, a good book is one that compels me to think. The publisher's summary on the back of Eli was enough to get me started. The summary starts with the following questions: "What if Jesus had not come until today? Who would follow Him? Who would kill Him?"

Myers retells the story of Jesus life, death, and resurrection in today's terms. While it was easy to be critical of the chosen details, the book did cause me to think. (One detail that I found troubling was the feeding of 5,000 with a burger and some fries. Somehow, I think Jesus would have made a better choice. On the other hand, the author is portraying today's world where burgers and fries are certainly all-too-common.) The author himself admits that the book is nothing more than an attempt to "examine some issues and get us thinking about others. It's certainly no substitute for the real thing."

So, what if Jesus hadn't come until today? Would you recognize Him for who He is? Would you follow Him or would you persecute Him? As Christians, our initial reaction might be to say "Of course I would recognize and follow Him." But would we really?

Before we answer, perhaps we should consider the story of the sheep and the goats:

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' [...] 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'"

Matthew 25:35-40, 45 (NIV)

Doesn't Jesus come today and everyday? Do we recognize Him in the form of the least brother? On a daily basis, do we follow Him or do we persecute Him?

What do you think?
Jeff Hand (jhand@isualum.com)