Two Sundays ago Wytsma said that Jesus never met with anyone one on one - I think that was an inadvertent mistake on his part - no harm no foul.

Then Sunday he explained his statement a little more and said there weren't very many times when Jesus met with anyone alone. The three that came to his mind were - Jesus and God, Jesus and the Devil and Jesus and the woman at the well.

I wanted to shout out - How about Nicodemus? But I held my tongue.

As I thought more about it I broke it down like this:

1. Jesus and God & Jesus and the Devil - important but set those aside for now.

2. Jesus and the woman at the well (John 4)- Here was someone who encountered Jesus but didn't know she needed him. She heard the Good News straight from the source without looking for it. I think there are untold numbers of people who are going about their daily lives when SMACK! They get hit with the Good News - sometimes straight from the source even - and their lives change drastically forever.

3. Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3) - Here was someone who was searching and sought out Jesus for more information on a personal and private level. How many followers came down this path? That inner search, yearning for more, craving information? I love that he searched Jesus out, wanted to talk with him, ask questions, find clarity in his thinking - and Jesus was there for him. He talked, reasoned, and explained. And out of this we get the most famous bible verse of all time (I would assume) John 3:16. It's all there laid out. The information is readily available. It comes down to choice in the end. Do you say YES or do you say NO? Free will - individual choice.

4. Jesus and the masses - Here were so many people hearing the Good News and realizing what it meant in a group setting. It takes guts to stand up and say you're a sinner in front of a group. It's hard to admit your shortcomings, faults and sins while others are watching. I think this is where the essence of community comes into play. You make an individual choice but you get support and acceptance from the community all around you - instantaneously. This is a really cool way to change your life.

So, ultimately you have 3 concrete examples of how we come to Christ - we get the big smack down, we come as intellectual seekers, we grow some nuts and stand up in front of everybody and repent. I don't know which way is best. I don't think it matters, nor do I care.

For myself I just hope that I'm ready and available for the next Christ follower. I want to be the ice pack after the smack down - helping to ease the blow, the librarian for the seeker - helping to direct them forward on their journey and an open, kind member of the community ready to envelop the new believer in love, acceptance and support.

Lord, keep me away from the chains of dogma, doctrine and denomination so that I may be salt and light to anyone who believes and receives. Make me a vibrant healthy member of my community and help me to welcome others with open arms.