If Jesus Lived Next Door

If Jesus Lived Next Door

Publication: The Lookout

Date: October 31, 1999

Column: From the Editor's Desk

Category: Discipleship

When my family moved to a different community a few weeks ago, it gave me a fresh opportunity to ask myself the hard question, "What kind of neighbor am I, anyway?" And I wondered, "What would it be like if Jesus lived next door?"

Neighbors often see each other washing cars, sweeping sidewalks, or raking leaves. But if Jesus lived next door, would I need to clean up my language or my attitude as well? Would I treat my wife and children with a little more kindness? Would I drive more patiently, greet others more cheerfully, and find more time to visit the elderly shut-ins who live down the block?

If Jesus lived next door, would I smile and exchange pleasant nods with him early in the morning as we both walked to a quiet place of prayer? Like Martha, would I worry about housekeeping? Or like Mary, would I look for opportunities to sit at Jesus' feet? Would I spend more time reading my Bible or waxing my car? When I put out the trash each week, would I also think about some spiritual garbage I need to discard?

When the Lord moved in, would I visit him and say "welcome"? In today's mind-your-own-business kind of world, with our locked doors, security systems, and privacy fences, would I even bother to learn his name? Would I invite him into my house—and trust him with the key to every room?

Come to think of it, maybe it wouldn't be easy to have Jesus living so close. Would I complain about the kind of company he invited over for dinner? Would I peer out the window, annoyed and curious, when people like Nicodemus dropped by for late-night appointments? What if Jesus hosted unsavory characters like prostitutes and tax cheats, rough-talking sailors and soldiers? What if that formerly homeless man came—the wild guy who used to live in a cemetery before he met Jesus? There goes the neighborhood!

What if Jesus welcomed noisy kids and allowed them to play in his yard? And sick people beat a path to his door until late in the evening, hoping for him to heal them? What if the house became so crowded that four men decided to cut a skylight into the roof and lower their paralyzed friend down to Jesus with ropes? Spontaneous demonstrations of faith might impress Jesus, but the local zoning board would demand a permit!

What if Jesus started bringing people in from other places—from different nationalities and ethnic groups, with different skin colors and accents in their voices? Would some longtime residents say, "Not in my neighborhood"? Would any part of me think it?

Would I like for him to see firsthand how I spend my money and use my time? Keeping up with Jesus is quite different than keeping up with the Joneses. Somehow I don't think he'd be impressed by the cars in my driveway, the size of my TV screen, or the clothes hanging in my closet.

All things considered, though, I definitely want Jesus to take up residence in my neighborhood. Yes, his presence might make some people uncomfortable. But there are a lot of vacant homes around here that need to be filled up, and I can't think of anyone else who would bring so much grace and peace, such forgiveness and hope, such security and love. His presence would make my neighborhood a different place and make me a different person.

So Lord, make yourself at home. My friends and I are willing to do whatever we can to help you move in.