As Jesus travels to Jerusalem, he takes the time to stop in towns and villages along the way. I love this image of Jesus—a person meeting others in the reality of their day-to-day lives. He desires to encounter people where they are. It’s interesting to note that Jesus is the one seeking out people, despite the purpose of his journey, to get to Jerusalem.
This verse says that Jesus teaches those he meets. However, it does not go on to say what format the teaching takes. As we know from other accounts in the Gospel, he could be offering formal teaching in town squares or on the hillside. He could be teaching in the conversation over a meal, or he could be chatting one-on-one with an individual. Jesus inspired those he met, and many followed him.
So too, Jesus meets
us in the “ordinary” of our lives. Jesus actively makes an effort to meet with each one of us, all the time. He is present in the people we meet, in our surroundings, and in all we do.
Jesus does not force himself on us. He invites us to respond, to pay attention and to let him in. No matter what else Jesus may be busy with, he always has time to spend with us.
Take time today to meet Jesus in the ordinary of your life. You could sit and have coffee together, or have a beer in the garden after work. Chat with Jesus about anything that may be on your mind and listen to his response to you.
Reflections by Ursula van Nierop
