What is the Benefit of Checking in with Jesus?
A Priest passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar to see who came to pray. Just then the back door opened, and a man came down the aisle.
The Priest frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was torn and shabby, and his coat was worn and frayed. The man knelt down and bowed his head, then rose and walked away.
In the days that followed at precisely noon, the Priest saw this man. Each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch box in his lap. Well, the Priest’s suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear. He decided to stop and ask the man, 'what are you doing here?' The old man said he was a factory worker and lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time for finding strength and power. He said, “I stay only a moment because the factory is far away. As I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kinda what I say...
‘I just came by to tell you, Lord, how happy I have been, since we found each other’s friendship and you took away my sin. Don't know much of how to pray, but I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is Ben, just checking in today.'
The Priest was feeling foolish, told Ben that it was fine. He told him he was welcome to pray there anytime. 'It's time to go, and thanks,' Ben said, as he hurried to the door.
Then the Priest knelt there at the altar, which he'd never done before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, as he met with Jesus there. Tears flowed down his cheeks, as he repeated old Ben's prayer... I just came by to tell you, Lord, how happy I’ve been, since we found each other’s friendship and you took away my sin. I don't know much of how to pray, but I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is me, just checking in today.'
Past noon one day, the Priest noticed that old Ben hadn't come. As more days passed and still no Ben, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Ben was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles and joy contagious. Changed people were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Ben could be so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had.
The Priest stayed by his bed; he voiced the nurse's concern that no friends had come to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up and with a winsome smile, 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, He's been here all the while. Every day at noon He comes here, a dear friend of mine, you see. He sits right down and takes my hand, leans over, and says to me I just came by to tell you, Ben, how happy I have been, since we found this friendship, and I took away your sin. I think about you always and I love to hear you pray, and so Ben, this is Jesus, just checking in today.'
I copied this story from Facebook as it touched my heart deeply.
I related to the reaction of the priest at first, judging Ben by his clothes and fearful he’d be dangerous. It’s so easy to quickly judge others by their appearance; however, Jesus never judges. He loves you. It doesn’t matter if you approach him in rags or riches, as a murderer or thief, all He cares about is that you allow Him to be the sheperd of your life. To enable Him to leave everlasting footprints so you’ll do anything to spend time with Him. He eagerly desires you to get to know Him more and more, as you learn to face tribulations with placing your trust in Him in every area of your life.
It makes me think of Peter and how he passionately desired to join Jesus as He walked on water. He jumped out of the boat to meet him without hesitation. But as soon as his gaze drifted to the tumultuous waves, strong winds, he began to sink and cried in desperation for Jesus to save him.
I never fully comprehended the meaning of this story until today’s sermon. It’s when our gaze drifts from seeking Jesus that we plunge into the storm, crying for His help. Yet, if we accept Jesus like a child, with innocence and trust, the storm remains calm, as Jesus is with you. Like Ben, in his innocence he honored Jesus the only way he knew, and his reward was the presence of Jesus beside him, gifting him with His peace and blessing him with His joy.
Jesus desires to be your friend. To learn about Him deeply, which leads me to the story of the blind man who approached Jesus asking for His help.
Mark 10:46-52
And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you." And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
In a subtle way this story reflects Ben as the blind man was rebuked just like the Priest’s initial impression of him, yet Ben, like the Blind man, had faith. Ben was redeemed and to show his appreciation he made the effort to visit with Jesus during his short lunch break. For the blind man, once he heard that Jesus was there, he knew he could heal him. The difference with this story compared to many other healings, is Jesus asked what the blind man wanted. He could’ve instantly healed him, but He chose not to.
The Pastor at church today defined this as an invitation to get to know Jesus more deeply. An act performed for you to reveal that Jesus can do more than heal sight, He cleanses your sins. Not once, but each time you ask, as we’ll always sin. It’s in our nature. However, the more you get to know Jesus the more you become like Him, and layers of your sinful nature wash away. You become new like a day lily, blooming beautifully as you triumph over sin, then die, and bloom again. A cycle I believe continues until He calls you home.
The daily check-ins or time spent with Jesus meditating the word increases your devotion and faith as shown with Ben and the blind man. However, Jesus moves in our lives in other ways. In dreams and prophecy guided by the Holy Spirit.
A woman I met at church told an amazing story. Her mother had a dream of a community hall filled with angels preparing for a celebration. As they were driving to church in a wintry storm, she told her daughter to turn off the road and attend a church closer to them. When they arrived, the church was a community hall, and they were celebrating a birthday. I got goosebumps as she told the story. They’ve attended the church ever since.
When you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, He will guide you to where He knows you’ll be forever in bloom. And you’ll never question, worry, or hesitate as the foundation of your faith will keep you moving forward with absolute certainty. Like Ben, you’ll desire the check ins, as you’ll understand the teachings of Jesus with more clarity. This is what Jesus wants. That is why He asked the question, “what can I do for you?” as there is nothing He can’t do, as long as what you ask leads to your spiritual growth. To ladders yet to be climbed and mountains yet to be explored. The journey is worth every second when you have Jesus in your life.
Have a wonderful day!
God Bless,
Hi, I’m Cathy.
A blogger, photographer, author, passionately driven to pointing people away from new age indoctrination to find redemption in Jesus Christ.
I’m a mixed blend, excited to share all I offer...
Blog-Twisted Roots
Do you find yourself asking questions about new age, whether the practices and beliefs are leading your soul to redemption?
As a reformed new ager, I was saturated in the belief I could co-create with the universe and manifest a life of abundance. But I was deceived. This blog is to point you to the truth of God’s words and how He perceives the new age indoctrination.
Fine Art Photography
I always dreamed of being a professional photographer when I grew up. It was a journey to reach this goal, but I did it!
I owned a home-based studio for over a decade but have been shooting images for two decades. Now, semi-retired, I have a collection of my most cherished images of landscape or nature available for wall décor.
