Unexpected Places

Unexpected Places

[Today I turn my writing duties over to Sandy Howard, a contributor to Rapture Ready. I have a puppet play for Daniel and the Lions' Den I really need to finish today! – David]

I was thinking the other day about all the unexpected places that Jesus has appeared in my life and throughout history. He appeared at the unexpected place of my heart’s door one day long ago in a little country church. I was not expecting Him that day, but I am so glad He showed up. I’m sure that He has appeared in many, many unexpected places. Like prison cells, homeless shelters, hotel rooms, soup kitchens, tents, wrecked cars, living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, basements, the streets, hospital rooms…

Jesus has appeared:

In the womb of a young and unknown virgin, in a stable – born in a barn instead of a palace. In the temple – He stayed in the temple in Jerusalem when He was 12 years old and in a fiery furnace. In a cave – Jesus appeared in a cave on the isle of Patmos to John to give him the Revelation. He appeared to the woman at Jacob’s well in Samaria.

On a donkey – Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a steed, lion or large imposing or regal animal. On a cross – definitely unexpected, imagine a King on a cross, treated as a common criminal, mocked, beaten, spit on, ridiculed – instead of on a throne to be worshipped. He appeared in a burning bush, in a lion’s den. He walked on top of water. He appeared on the road to Damascus.

Perhaps that was Him, appearing as the fingers of a hand, writing on the wall at the party of Belshazzar?

Jesus walked the common streets and visited the homes of commoners and sinners – raising a dead girl, healing a sick woman, having dinner with a tax collector, casting out demons from the possessed.

In a resurrected body – after He rose from the dead.

And some day very soon He will appear in the clouds to rapture His bride, the church (all born- again believers).

And, God forbid you miss the Rapture; at the end of Tribulation EVERY eye will see Him coming back to earth, riding a white horse (that is provided you are able to survive those seven-years of horror). I’ll bet that will be an unexpected sight by many! But by the time you see Him in that most unexpected of places, it will be too late to change your destiny. And the last unexpected place you will see Him is at the Great White Throne Judgment.

So, if He has appeared unexpectedly, knocking at the door of your heart, like He did for me one day long ago, please, I BEG you, answer the door and let Him come in. He wants to come in and live in the unexpected place of your heart. He wants to be Lord of your life and He wants to prepare an unexpected place of exquisite wonder for you to live with Him for all eternity.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).