Jesus Has Left the Building

Sunday, October 10^th, was declared “Mormon Tabernacle Choir Day” by the Governor of Utah.  How do I know?  Well, instead of finding a local gathering of believers to worship with last Sunday morning, we decided to visit Temple Square and hang out with the Mormons.  I figured it was sort of that ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’...or, ‘When in Salt Lake City, Utah’ sort of thing.

We were picked up bright and early by the cheerful ‘missionaries’ who provide a free shuttle from the campsite to the Temple (free is always a great thing!).   They told us how to act and what to expect during the service (it’s a televised event, so there are rules).   Those that manned the large iron gates were eager to welcome us; “We’re so glad you’ve joined us” was mentioned half a dozen times by each person we met.  Needless to say, we felt very welcomed.

...So far, this was kind of like going to any “regular church.”

Strange, really.  There were lots of similarities.  Great music - the Mormons can really sing!  (There’s nothing like 350 voices singing in perfect pitch and harmony.)  There was a short, simple message; we’re talking 7 – 8 mins max.  The gyst: “Don’t harbour bitterness.”  Can’t disagree with the content... or the length.  The lighting, the boom camera, the production value: definitely, on par with Willow Creek; the only thing missing was the jumbo-tron!

The thing that was missing, if you were really looking for it, was Jesus.  In fact, the show was so great and the music so good, you could have almost missed it.  But truly, Jesus was pushed to the side.  In fact, I think He’d left the building...

The people we spoke to claimed Jesus; we just didn’t see Him anywhere.  Isn’t that the real issue with the broad range of those who claim Christ?

We can wear the smile and welcome others.  We can have great music and an up-lifting message, and we can have great production value -- all the bells and whistles, really.  We can even praise Jesus in Sunday morning gatherings; there is still the question:  Do the lives of Christ-followers look different from the lives of others?  Every day?  In every choice?  If we were honest, would we admit that most of the time Jesus is an ad-on in our lives; kind of like insurance?  Or, has Jesus left the building?

As John Piper writes in his book God Is the Gospel:

The critical question for our generation – and for every generation – is this:  If you could have heaven, with no sickness and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?

Are we really in love with Jesus, and do our lives reflect that love in the way we live, and not just how we gather on a Sunday?  Am I?

I think my prayer right now, for the body of believers called “Christians,” would take the words of A.W. Tozer, from The Pursuit of God: 

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more.  I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace.  I am ashamed of my lack of desire.  O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made thirsty still.  Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed.  Begin in mercy a new work of love within me.  Say to my soul, “Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.”  Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.