Have you ever lost your keys, misplaced your phone, forgotten to pick up your child from school? Have you ever lost Jesus? If you have, you are in fine company because even his Mum and Dad lost him as they went back home from Jerusalem. (Luke 2:43-44). It took them three days of searching to find Him again.
A new talent search is starting on ITV – not another one, I hear you cry – this time they are looking for the next Jesus, well someone to play the lead role of Jesus in the rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar. The winner will be decided by a public vote. It will seem a bit weird voting for the next Jesus, but the search is on. I wonder what qualities people will look for? Good looks, blue eyes, great voice, how kind they are or what make of sandals they wear. Whatever the criteria I hope that it will cause many to search for the real Jesus and encounter for themselves the reality of who he is and what he has done.
People have been looking for Jesus since he first came and appeared on earth. The wise men looked for him, the least, the lonely and the lost were always looking for him and the women (the original spice girls) went to the tomb expecting to find him only to discover the stone rolled away and Jesus not there.
Things changed in that moment. Not only because death had been conquered but because Jesus then started looking for us. He spoke Mary’s name and she found him again, he broke bread halfway to Emmaus and two followers saw him again, he stepped into a locked room and showed the disciples his hands and side and they were overjoyed to hear him again. The Risen Jesus is searching for people. He is looking for you and for the people you care about. He is looking for the lost.
Isaiah 65:1 - I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'
The Resurrection turned everything on its head. Jesus burst out of the tomb so that he could continue His search to find people, even those not looking for Him. It’s a promise worth remembering this Easter. He burst from the tomb so the search could carry on in surprising places and at surprising times. He is alive and present.
I’m not sure about the search for Jesus by Lord Webber. I am sure he’ll find a Jesus and preside over another smash hit musical production and make loads of money but what excites me more is that Jesus is looking for people and through his death and resurrection he has committed himself to continuing the search. Just like the Shepherd who lost one of his sheep, Jesus keeps looking until he finds and then he throws a great party.
You can play your part this Easter by pointing people you know in the right direction and giving them an opportunity be found by Jesus. It could be an invitation for a meal or a walk by the sea, it could be in a garden or in an upper room. Jesus will be there with you and you can be sure that he will be looking out for ways to show himself and find the lost. You could be responsible for starting a party in Heaven this Easter. I can hear the singing already!
