Finding Jesus

    

 They asked: “Is there a picture of Jesus in the church that we can use as our
Worship center?   My walk through the church in search of such a portrait became
a time of awakening.  I went looking for a picture and I found Jesus.
    In the fireside room, I found Jesus praying! 
His shoulders robed in drab hues of brown, his head bowed; his crown of disheveled hair seems to be outwardly portraying an inner struggle. I focus on his strong hands now covering his face; folded in soulful prayer.
    In the foyer, I found Jesus smiling!
With warm colors spread on the canvas, the portrait of Jesus offers me a full, beautiful smile. His welcoming eyes are reassuring and spirit lifting.
    In a classroom downstairs, I found Jesus with children!
With innocence, trust and admiring eyes, the children gather near him. I notice his outstretched hands lovingly cup the face of one of the smallest among them.  
    In the hall cupboard, I found Jesus in a meadow!
He stands on a bed of green grass beside a quiet stream of clear blue water.  A lost lamb has been found. Holding it close, he cradles its trembling body. The gentle touch
of the hand of Jesus brings a blessing of reassurance.
    In the staircase, I found Jesus at a table!
At this table of betrayal and forgiveness, Jesus sits resolute but contemplative. The body language of His followers portray perplexity and disbelief. I pause to wonder if they will recognize the bread broken and spread before them as a gift of grace; will they find renewed hope and peace?
    In the office workroom, I find Jesus with yet another child of God!
The child speaks to me of one who may be ill, lost, frightened or hurting inside.  I see her sad face as she places her head on Jesus’ comforting shoulder. She knows she can rest there until she is stronger.  A compassionate Jesus understands!
    Amid the clutter of a seldom visited storage cupboard,  I find Jesus!
A reproduction of Warner Sallman’s  “Head of Christ”  shows me a ‘serene, thoughtful, visionary Christ. The Jesus who sees His future and accepts it’.
This is the Jesus of the Garden of Gethsemane. This is the Jesus of the Golgotha’s Hill.   This is Jesus the Redeemer.
    The good word is; when we seek Him, we will find Him.
         He can be who the deepest yearning of our hearts need Him to be.

May each of us be blessed as we seek and find Jesus anew during this Season of Lent.

Ruth Black,
Kitchener,  February 3, 2016