SHOW UP

This morning as Jay left he told me to say a little prayer that everyone shows up today.  They have a very busy morning with the largest number of hunters and it takes all the guides, cooks and workers to show up to make the morning go smoothly. 

There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord will show up for us, but will we show up for Him? 

We live in a world that in many places discussions of Christianity cannot be spoken.  In the educational setting and in some workplaces it is ignored.  If we hold to our convictions we are fearful of what others will do to us.  If Christianity is talked about or shared it could cost us our job.   We just try to blend in and be part of what some see as normal.  

Joseph of Arimathea is an example of a man who feared showing up for Christ.  He was a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, the body of 70 men who governed the religious and many of the civic matters in Israel.  It was Sanhedrin that had condemned Jesus to death.  Joseph was against their plan and action, but he didn’t show up to do anything about it.  He was fearful of what would happen to him if he did.  Joseph did show up after Jesus’s death.  He found the courage and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body.  It was Joseph that gave Jesus His proper burial.  (John 19:38)

Joseph had everything to lose by identifying himself with Jesus.  Jesus was dead and no one was expecting the resurrection.  It would have been easy for Joseph not to show up, but he took a stand for what he believed and showed up for Christ. 

In the world today it is easier to blend in with the crowd and be secret followers, but is it the right thing not to show up for Christ? 

Jesus wants us to show up for Him in this world of fallen people.  Stand up and show up.  Lead others to Christ.  As our preacher says every Sunday, “Each One Reach One!”  During 2015 each of you show up for Christ and reach out.  Each one reach one and be an example where others see Christ’s work in you. 

SHOW UP FOR HIM!