Jesus meets us in our need. Sometimes we recognize that – sometimes not – like the time my girlfriend and I traveled to New York in 1964. I was 19; Penny was 21. We planned to see the sights and go to the World’s Fair.
Two naive, inexperienced travelers boarded a train and set out on our venture. We changed trains in Chicago and a Red Cap approached us and asked, “Carry your bags, Ma’am?” “Well, thank you. That is so nice of you,” I said, handing him my suitcase. He carried our suitcases to the waiting train, then held out his hand, and I readily shook it. ‘Tipping’ a railroad porter had never entered my mind.
We settled into our hotel room in Manhatten. That evening, we took the subway under the East River to the World’s Fair in Queens. The return trip to Manhatten sealed the memory in our minds forever. We decided to get off the subway in Times Square because we didn’t know what other stop was close to our hotel. We climbed the stairs to the streets above and were immediatelyl surrounded by several men. We froze in fear as they tightened the circle, sneering and making lewd remarks.
Just when I thought we would never see Minnesota again, two sailors with unchallenged authority, broke though the ring. The men never said a word; they simply stepped aside. One sailor took hold of my arm and the other sailor took hold of Penny and ushered us out of their snare. The sailors escorted us to our hotel and as we turned to thank them for the amazing rescue, they were gone – without a trace! I did not realize until several years later that Jesus could very well have sent two angels to protect us.
In another account, God met the needs of the prophet Elisha as recorded in 2 Kings 6. Syria was at war with Israel. Early one morning, Elisha’s servant saw that the enemy had surrounded the city during the night. The terrified servant asked Elisha, “What should we do?” As any good prophet would do, he prayed. He asked the Lord to open the eyes of his servant, then turned to his servant saying, “Do not fear, for thsoe who are with us are more than those who are with the army.”
The servant stared wide-eyed at the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. He realized God’s unseen army was far more powerful than the visible army. God met the need of not only the servant, but of the entire nation of Israel!
Then there’s the story of Jonah – the man God had called to deliver a warning message of judgment to the people of Ninevah unless they repented of their sins. But Jonah did not want to warn the evil and corrupt people. Instead, he boarded a ship to get as far away from Ninevah as possible. Jonah did not care one bit about the townspeople – but God did! God caused a storm at sea, and through a staccato conversation with the shipmates and Jonah, it was decided to throw Jonah overboard since they concluded he was responsible for the storm.
Jonah ended up in the belly of a huge fish God had prepared for this very situation. After three days inside the fish’s belly, he was thrown up on shore back from where he started – Ninevah! Jonah was not the one in need – it was the people who were in need. They needed to hear God’s warning – to turn from their wicked ways or suffer His judgment, and Jonah was the messenger who reluctantly delivered God’s message. And the people listened! They repented of their sin and judgment was averted.
The New Testament is filled with times of Jesus meeting people in their need like the man with leprosy who came to Jesus and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Jesus reached out His hand, touched the leper, and said, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leper was cleansed.
Jesus healed the deaf, the blind, the lame, the demon-possessed. He met them all in their physical need, but He went beyond the physical needs of people; He preached the kingdom of God meeting the spiritual needs of thousands.
Jesus’ omnipresence is unmistakable. His compassion is indisptable. His love is undeniable.
What is your story with Jesus?