Meet Zeke. Zeke is one of the many fine young men that attend Bible Holiness with their families. He is a cute kid but he is every bit as smart as he is cute!
Here is Zeke and Malachi.
Zeke has a story to tell. The story is great and it is true. However, at the end of the story Zeke draws a very surprising yet insightful conclusion.
He was talking to Kelly Jo before church one night and he asked her if she could see the cross. He was pointing to the cross on the Bible stand in the first picture above. She told him she could see it. He proceeded to tell her all about the man that died for us on the cross. The man died on the cross and gave his life so that we might live.
He also told Kelly Jo that this man was not dead any more. He had came back alive. He had risen from the dead. He really gave a very simple yet clear presentation of the Gospel using the visual of the cross on the Bible stand. Zeke said the man's name is Jesus.
Zeke has the basics of the Gospel story down pat. He could lead somebody to Christ with his little story of the cross on the Bible stand. That is when Zeke jumps to his interesting conclusion.
Zeke points to Pastor Brent Gabbard on the platform and says, "That's him right there. You see that man standing there? That's Jesus. He came back alive again."
I love his surprise ending. That's him. Pastor Brent Gabbard is Jesus!
I love his surprise ending. That's him. Pastor Brent Gabbard is Jesus!
Now, we all know that Bro. Brent Gabbard is not Jesus. Zeke's parents declare up and down that they have no idea how he got that idea in his head but I think it is amazing. Number one it is hilarious but it is also insightful. Pastor Brent Gabbard is the man that stands behind the pulpit and declares the Gospel to the little guy. Zeke can not see Jesus but he can see Bro. Gabbard. Therefore the Pastor is the only Jesus little Zeke sees.
That does not puff up Bro. Gabbard's ego. No sir! It makes him more careful than ever. Zeke and many others are watching every step he takes and he must be diligent in his walk for Christ.
Jesus is not physically walking the earth today. We are called to be transformed into the image of Christ. Our lives should demonstrate Christlikeness to every one we encounter. We are the only Jesus that some people will ever see.
That lays a tremendous responsibility at our feet. If we are the visible manifestation of Jesus on earth then we need to be extremely attentive to how we live in front of them.
Two questions for you today to sum it all up.
1. Has any one ever mistaken you for Jesus?
2. How quickly did your life demonstrate for them that they were dreadfully wrong?
God help us all to be Christlike in our manner of life.
Davy
That does not puff up Bro. Gabbard's ego. No sir! It makes him more careful than ever. Zeke and many others are watching every step he takes and he must be diligent in his walk for Christ.
Jesus is not physically walking the earth today. We are called to be transformed into the image of Christ. Our lives should demonstrate Christlikeness to every one we encounter. We are the only Jesus that some people will ever see.
That lays a tremendous responsibility at our feet. If we are the visible manifestation of Jesus on earth then we need to be extremely attentive to how we live in front of them.
Two questions for you today to sum it all up.
1. Has any one ever mistaken you for Jesus?
2. How quickly did your life demonstrate for them that they were dreadfully wrong?
God help us all to be Christlike in our manner of life.
Davy
