All of us need to be recognized and accepted for who we are. Despite our faults and failings, we need to be included, wanted, and loved. When we are appreciated and loved, we feel secure. We can manage, no matter how difficult life becomes. And when we know that we are special and have dignity, we recognize that we too are God’s chosen ones, members of His family who are accepted, cared for, and loved.

It took some time for John the Baptist to recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God, the Messiah. He really was not sure until the Spirit made him aware that Jesus was God’s Chosen One, set aside as Lord and Savior for all people of all ages. Awareness of God’s beloved Son is really a gift; it is a matter of grace, a matter of faith.

God has a way of surprising all of us. Oftentimes we expect God to fit into our set of ideas of what He is like and what He should be doing in our modern-day world. So often, our picture of Jesus as Lord is the same picture we had of Him as little children. Some of our old textbooks present Jesus as a type of play actor, knowing all the answers and then going through life, suffering and dying as if in some sort of a theatrical play. Some of our old prayers and devotions made God out as a strict and harsh judge, revengeful and punishing, a God using fear to make His people obedient and respectful. It is no wonder that many people cannot recognize the Lord in their lives nor appreciate His love, mercy, and friendship.

When we read the Gospel stories, we know that men and women found Jesus very intriguing and life-changing. Huge crowds followed him wherever he went. Many gave up their work to follow Him. They risked their lives, left their families. They recognized Him as the Messiah and Lord. Sometimes they even looked foolish in their efforts to follow in His ways. Zacchaeus, Mary Magdalene, Martha and Mary, James and John, Peter and Matthew are a few of those ordinary people who left everything to be with Him. They recognized the real Jesus and knew what He was all about.

Well, it’s time to ask ourselves some questions. How real is Jesus for you? Are you aware of His presence in your daily lives? Or does He fit nicely and neatly into what you expect? Do you have Him all figured out or is Jesus still a mystery, unpredictable, challenging and intriguing. Is He locked up in all the pages of time or is He real for you today as we gather to share in the Word and the breaking of the bread?

If He does not stir us up, cause us to change, or make us examine ourselves and our lives, then we will not recognize Him as the Chosen One of the Father when we do see Him. If we do not recognize the Lord, we must then make an effort to search for Him. The most likely place to find Him is here in our midst, in the poor and suffering, in the circumstances and events of our lives, and in the people who come into our lives each day.

And when we finally do recognize Him and see how he has been intimately involved in and orchestrating our lives, we can then witness with John the Baptist: “Now I can see and testify that Jesus is the Son of God.”

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