O Jesus, Jesus!

Robin occasionally gives me a jab with her elbow as we’re singing songs at church because I often change the words to the hymns that we’re singing. There are several reasons for this.

Sometimes I sing the song as a personal prayer so I change all the pronouns like we and us to I and me. Other times I change the pronouns because I am speaking to the congregation (Ephesians 5:19). Sometimes I change the words because they are archaic. King James might have said, “Thy” and “Thine,” but they are not a part of my every day language. Then there are times when I change the words because I just don’t like the emphasis of the song. One of those songs is, “There is a Habitation” where the chorus goes, “O Zion, Zion, I long thy gates to see…”

I like the music, but it sounds like the words are directed to Heaven—the words sound like we are worshipping Heaven. Yes, it’s the place where God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit resides, but it is just a place and it’s not worthy of our worship.  Besides, if God wasn’t there, it’s not a place I want to be. Without Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, heaven would look like any other godless place—a place without light.

On the other hand, I like Paul’s perspective and emphasis. Paul tells us that we have benefits and rewards. But he also says it’s for those who “long for His appearing” (II Timothy 4:8). Jesus should be our longing, desire, and our real reward and goal. This is why whenever we’re singing the chorus to, “There is a Habitation,” I’m usually singing, “Oh, Jesus, Jesus, I long Your face to see; Oh, Jesus, Jesus, when will I dwell in Thee?” I would not be surprised if there are others that are singing the song the same way I am. After all, as God Seekers, isn’t it our ultimate dream to be found in Him?

Compassion

I saw a commercial on TV. A former Drill Sergeant, who became a therapist, was counseling a patient. As the patient was describing his feelings, the Sergeant started on a rant and ended by throwing a box of tissues at the man and said, “Cry Baby!” I laughed at the commercial because I identified with the Sergeant. There have been times as I listen to people talk, I want to yell, “Get on with life! Stop your whining and crying! Get away from me! Leave me alone!”

This is also why I see myself in the crowd in Matthew 20:29-34, when they scolded the blind men and told them to, “Be quiet!” as they were crying out to Jesus. Fortunately, this is not the end of the story. In the midst of all this commotion, Jesus called the blind men and asked them how He could help. Isn’t that amazing? In the midst of all the excitement, confusion, and frenzy that surrounded Him, Jesus heard their cries.

Then after Jesus called them to Himself, Scripture has some words that convict me. The Bible says, “Jesus had compassion on them…” This is not the first time in the Gospel of Matthew that my heart has been pierced. Earlier, Matthew records, “When He [Jesus] saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (9:36).

I don’t see people the same way that Jesus sees people. This is why all too often my initial response is not compassion and I think I understand why. My friend Colt calls it spiritual amnesia.

As I confess my lack of charity, I also identify with the blind men. I remember clearly crying out, “LORD, have mercy on me!” The funny (not funny, ha-ha) thing about this is that it’s not something that happened to me years ago, but it’s something that I do on a daily basis. Even more ironic is that I beg for His mercy numerous times during the course of a day. Every time that I’ve cried out to Jesus, He’s always responded to me with compassion.

Maybe the next time I remember the Sergeant asking his patient, “Tissue?” and before I start laughing at his response, I’ll hear Jesus saying, “Remember the height from which you have fallen!” (Revelation 2:4-5). Hopefully, I will not only fall to my knees and ask Him for forgiveness, but I also hope to remember to thank Him for His continual mercy and join the once blind men along with the crowds in following Him.