Jesus met a needy sick man at a healing pool. He had been there for thirty-eight fruitless years. His complaint: “I have no man” (John 5:7). Jesus met an eager single pretty woman at a frequent well. She had had unfortunate five failed marriages and was in the sixth tentative relationship. Her frank notice to the Master: “I have no husband” (John 4:17). She probably hoped He might have been her Man Number Seven. Everyone discovered their lack when they met Him. His brightness illumined their darkness; His sweet presence amplified the painful echoes of their crushing void.
Jesus is the missing Presence in every aching life. Misreading their thirst, sadly, many have searched to promising pools that wasted their years; others submit to hollow men and shallow wells that quench no deep thirsts. Meanwhile, so close, the Master assures, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). The missing Man.
Jesus healed a sick woman who had been disappointed by as many specialists as she had consulted in twelve frustrating years. He was her missing Physician (Mark 5:25-34). Jesus met a widow whom death had not pitied; the grieving mother of an only son. He brought her dead son back to life. He was the missing Life-Giver to herself and her land (Luke 7:11-17). A group of faithful disciples might have died of hunger on their way home from a revival meeting if Jesus had been absent. He gave them more bread than they could eat (Matthew 15:32-38). He was their missing Baker.
When storms threatened the boat in which His disciples sailed, they woke Him up promptly, crying, “Master…!” They were saved because He was there (Mark 4: 38). His absence might have been their doom. He was their present Captain.
In these darkening days, the life from which Jesus is missing is headed for the rocks. Two fortunate wise travellers once said to Him while He walked the road with them, “Abide with us: for it is toward evening.” He went in with them (Luke 24:29). Those were two sensible men who wouldn’t dare the night without His presence.
Jesus has never refused any who came to Him, for He promised, “I will NEVER turn away ANYONE who comes to me” (John 6:37, Good News Translation). Would that be you?
From The Preacher’s diary,
November 3, 2022