Last summer, my friend Nathan went to Nairobi, Kenya. One afternoon, he ventured into Kibera, the second largest African slum. A massive expanse of impoverished conditions, Kibera feels like a place hope forgot.
An HIV-positive single mom graciously invited Nathan into her shack. Her husband’s sexual escapades had brought HIV home; and then the virus killed him, leaving her alone and barely surviving. Her home was tiny, bare. Dirt floors. Nathan said little. He was simply present. Before he left, though, she wanted to tell him something. “Because you are here,” she said, “I know I am loved.”
Jesus had little trouble drawing a crowd. His healings and other miracles stirred rabid excitement. Jesus consistently resisted, however, the pleas from the masses to unveil yet another fantastic feat. These voyeurs merely wanted a good show, constantly prodding Jesus: “Show us a miraculous sign if You want us to believe in You. What can You do?” (v.30).
Jesus chided their shortsightedness with a pointed rebuff: “Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you” (v.27). The crowd’s problem was not only that they were making selfish demands, but also that they were blind to the one who stood among them: Jesus, God in the flesh, longing to give them Himself, longing to give them life.
But the crowd wasn’t interested. They wanted flash and glitz.
Humanity doesn’t most need the stuff Jesus does. We need Jesus. Jesus is the true bread. Jesus is life. It is Jesus’ presence—His willingness to “come down from heaven” and become one of us—that offers hope for our deep sickness (v.33). Because Jesus was here, right in the middle of our brokenness and sin, we can surely know that God’s rich love pours out toward us.
More:
• John 15:9-13
• Philippians 2:5-7
• 1 John 5:11-13
Next:
How do you demand that Jesus perform for you? What does it mean for you to realize that what your soul most craves is Jesus’ presence?
tom felten on March 24, 2009 at 7:17 am
So often our faith can go up and down like a barometer based on how we feel Jesus has—or has not—come through for us. How much better, however, when we practice His presence and experience a growing relationship with Him moment by moment. Through the good, He is there. Through the hard times, He is there. He is there.
shelly0599 on March 24, 2009 at 10:03 am
The story reminded me of not just far away lands, but our homeland, as well. When we see those homeless people on the street, I am reminded that it is a kind thing to give them money, but it is even kinder to share Jesus and our time with them.
dianalovesjesus2 on March 24, 2009 at 10:51 am
I stopped when I read, “Before he left, though, she wanted to tell him something. “Because you are here,” she said, “I know I am loved.” …it took my breath away, really.
I have, this past year, moved from New Mexico back to California to be closer to my aging father…in response to what I felt was the leading of the Holy Spirit. …reluctant response. You see, my father is ….our relationship is….well…..difficult. I walk on a path that is so beyond my capabilities …in dealing with my father….so very grace filled….so dependent on the wisdom and strength and grace of our Lord. And the love I feel for my father is not a love I have grown for him out of shared past experiences, but is a gift from my gracious Lord….along with the understanding of how precious this lost lamb is to Him. ….and I think my father would say of my presence…..if he could think to express it……would be….”Because you are here, I know I am loved.” …takes my breath away! Thank you for sharing…and God bless!
Zacheus on March 24, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Too often because we can’t think of something big to do, we do nothing at all. Like Nathan, perhaps just being there is the best thing we can do. If we always avoid our neighbours, our co-workers, our family, we will never be available for God to use to bless, encourage and help others.
winn collier on March 24, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I actually wish you could have heard Nathan telling the story himself. He tells it with tears in his eyes. It is a gift to be open and awake enough to be touched by another’s pain.
sallydudl@aol.com on March 24, 2009 at 1:50 pm
This article spoke to me, also. . .when I think of Jesus’ Presence in my life. . .
His Presence should indeed be enough!
What a fresh reminder when I read the dear soul’s comment to Nathan; “Because you are here. . .I know
I am loved”! Sounds like an idea for a song!! (I enjoy writing songs for Jesus)
🙂 God be with you, lovingly, Sarah
goyo139 on March 24, 2009 at 8:26 pm
There in no one like the Lord. In the attached passages, He provides food for the body, food for the mind and food for the spirit.
ricanpam on March 24, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Jesus,
because You are here,
I know I am loved.
Thank-YOU
abalderama on April 2, 2009 at 10:58 am
WOW – We live in a society that depicts how rich or poor we are based on our material possessions. This woman understands that being rich lies in your heart. Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. I wish I could know her.
elisau on August 7, 2009 at 6:58 am
It is beautiful how such a small gesture can mean so much to someone of faith. Here in America people have a hard time seeing God at work because we are expecting so much. God often reveals Himself to us in unexpected ways. We have to be on the lookout to see what God is doing in our lives everyday and learn not to take things for granted. Life is a gift!