“I Downloaded the Wrong Jesus”

I just love how language evolves! Words that were perfectly acceptable to say 20 years ago are now considered socially verboten. However, there are also new words… and new meanings for words.

During my childhood, if I were to tell you that I had spent the morning copying and pasting documents on my tablet you would have thought that I was tracing a picture using carbon paper, with a glue bottle next to me, with plans to paste them onto something akin to what Moses was carrying, coming down from the mountain. If your mother had mentioned flattening the curve, it would have had a completely different meaning than today … and zoom had to do with a very expensive attachment to the family camera.

However… the word “app” is especially interesting! Well… is it a word? Or is it just part of a word? Oh, goodness … I honestly feel sorry for those brave souls trying to learn the English language. If the letters are capitalized, then APP stands for “Advanced Practice Providers.” It also can be on a menu in a restaurant… as “apps”… meaning all sorts of delicious foods that are supposed to increase your appetite, and yet do the opposite. The apps that we all are using… almost every waking hour… are the “applications” on our phones or other devices… that assist us in completing certain tasks.

A few months ago, I was having a “messenger” conversation with my daughters, and one of them asked about an app which has great Bible stories on it for kids. She wanted it for her little boys. One of us described it to her, telling her which one to download. We waited. She then responded that it didn’t have what we were describing. After a minute or two, we started to get laughing emoji’s and exclamation marks! She then wrote some profound words.

She wrote… “I downloaded the wrong Jesus.”

I just stared at the screen. Yes… I had just heard a five-word sermon, that knocked the wind out of me.

How often have you and I downloaded the wrong Jesus? We want the Jesus who fixes things, who saves me a parking space, who keeps the car running when it’s on “E”, who heals all sicknesses, who promises me Heaven, who has infinite power, who has limitless resources and who loves me unconditionally. We may just want the Jesus who we hear stories about when we go to church on occasion but then will fit nicely back into the box and go up onto the shelf in the closet, until we need Him.

Let’s get more personal…

Have we downloaded the Jesus who we just want to … get me the promotion … take away the cancer … fix my marriage … get me a bigger house or car … or maybe just make me happy?

Come. Sit here next to me and listen. ‘Cause you and I have both been guilty of this.

If you have downloaded that Jesus… that’s the wrong one. That’s not the Jesus of the Bible. That’s not the Jesus that you want to be following after. Is He able to do all those things? Absolutely. He’s all-powerful. And praise God, sometimes He does! Will He always do all those things? No. He told us that life wouldn’t be easy. He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 He calls us to follow Him at all cost. He says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

Jesus, the eternal Son of God, the One and only Son of God, Who died on the cross for you… first of all promises you forgiveness and redemption through believing in Him, and asking Him to come into your heart, and be Lord of your life. He knows that life can be tough. He knows that we can experience excruciating heart pain and physical pain. So He promises far greater things than a wish list of stuff. He promises His Presence by our side, when the waves are knocking us down. He promises that when we call out to Him He hears us… and will be with us in trouble. He promises that He will never leave our side. He promises that the really difficult times in our lives are designed to produce perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. He promises us HIS peace…. which is a treasure beyond value. He promises us a Home in Heaven… in His Presence for ever and ever.

He says to you and I, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2

Just double check… make sure that you’ve downloaded the right Jesus.

“Dear Jesus … thank You for Your faithful promises … to be all that I need, no matter how deep the pain or how uncertain the future. Remind me often that you are all that I need. I love you… In Your Name, Amen”