The Jesus in me loves the Jesus in you

What drew them? What stirred within? What made them drop what they were doing and follow you, Jesus? Some you engaged in conversation, some just made eye contact with you and that is all it took. Were some curious or searching? Maybe they all had a different reason why they followed. What did they feel, Jesus? What did they experience as they stood before you? Could they even put it into words?

As they stood before you, were they overcome with peace, with love, with joy, or with compassion? Were they completely overwhelmed? Did time stand still in the encounter as if nothing else mattered? Was there a deep knowing within, a heart thing, that they could not resist following you? Did they follow because you called their name in such an intimate way that they couldn’t help but say yes? Whatever each encounter brought, and maybe it was different for each, something happened.

Jesus, did you call others who said no or not now? Why didn’t they follow you? Was it fear that prevented them? Were they not willing to give up what they were clinging to? Did somehow that seem more secure, more valuable to them than you? I am convicted. Where have I missed saying yes to you, Jesus?

Jesus, to come face to face with you, eyes locked, heart engaged, love uninterrupted, nothing else around as a distraction or concern. To live in a state of union with you, Jesus…

How do we respond to our face to face encounter with Jesus, be it an initial encounter or the multitude of encounters throughout life? Like the Samaritan woman, unworthy and ashamed? Like the rich young ruler, clinging to possessions? Like Jairus, wanting a miracle? Like the Pharisees, arrogant and contentious? Like Pontius Pilate, distant, skeptical and cynical? Like Zacchaeus, eager and excited? Like the woman with the alabaster jar, humble, contrite and reverent?

Do I recognize the encounters? They happen all the time. I may not be standing before the man Jesus Christ in the flesh like the early disciples, but in every encounter with others, I am standing before Him dwelling in his children.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20).

I was involved with a retreat program years ago. Whenever we wrapped up a formation session we turned to each person on either side and said, “the Jesus in me loves the Jesus in you.” That used to feel really awkward for me. It took some getting used to. Years later, thanks be to God, I have internalized that phrase a little better.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like, if instead of seeing the face of the person in front of me, I literally saw the face of Jesus. What would that encounter be like? Would I be the Samaritan woman or the rich young ruler or Zacchaeus, etc…? Would my response be one of unworthiness or cynicism or distance or humility or excitement, etc…? After all, I am standing before Jesus, and the Jesus in me is called to love the Jesus in you. Some days, that can be really hard to do.

Lord, I pray that somehow in all our encounters there might be evidence that we have come face to face with you, that in some way that encounter resembles what your disciples experienced when they met you. May we leave behind footprints of peace, love, joy and compassion.