The Green-eyed Monster

Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation                                              Acts 1:3

The Green-eyed Monster

by Robert T. Cooper

Shhhhhhhhh! There are reports that over in Iran lots and lots of people are seeing Jesus. Apparently, He appears to them in person to win them from Islam to faith in Him. There are even reports that He teaches some as new believers for up to two years! Does that seem fair to you? Is the Green-eyed Monster of Jealousy tempting you?

In the forty days from the Resurrection to the Ascension, Jesus showed Himself to the Eleven Apostles. In fact, Matthias saw Him too, so one could say He was seen of the Twelve. In fact, He was seen by others, at one point seen by a crowd of 500 believers. After the Ascension, probably several months later, perhaps in the late fall of the year, Saul of Tarsus saw Jesus just outside of Damascus.

Then there are reports of those who have seen Jesus in ones and twos over the centuries. Some of those reports are believable, like the modern reports out of Iran; some are not believable.

One of the first appearances of Jesus following the Resurrection was on the Sunday one week immediately after Resurrection Sunday. The Apostles were gathered in the Upper Room, probably the one belonging to the parents of John Mark, the one in which Jesus and the Apostles had observed the meal depicted in da Vinci’s famous fresco.

Thomas had missed the appearance of Jesus in that same location one week earlier, but Thomas was present this time. Thomas had insisted he would not believe Jesus had risen unless he touched the wounds of the Resurrected Jesus with his own finger. Jesus appeared and offered to let Thomas touch the wounds. The Bible doesn’t tell us whether Thomas actually touched the wounds or not, but it does tell us that Thomas exclaimed his faith in Jesus as Lord and God.

John 20:29 NIV

²⁹The Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29 NIV

Now I suspect that somewhere close to 100% of those who read this blog are among those who have not seen and yet have believed. Jesus says you are blessed; I am blessed. Glory, hallelujah!

So, Green-eyed Monster, BUG OFF!

Just for discussion’s sake: Have you seen Jesus? If so, tell us about it. If not, do you want to do so before death? Why?