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JESUS
THE
MOST RELEVANT PERSON IN THE ROOM
If you were given the responsibility to fix the world and
if you were to set up a meeting designed to bring all of the best we have to offer and that included the most powerful and
influential people in the world, who would be in that room? Would it be the pope; the president; the wealthiest business owner; the most
respected scientific mind; the skilled musician? Would it be the elite athlete; the renowned artist; or
Hollywood’s premier director or actor? Would it be the best military expert alive; the longest standing
tenured scholar; or maybe our top fortune 500 CEO?  - I’m certain that you would consider many or all of these
people for the meeting. We naturally anticipate that the, “best
among us” would bring us the needed answers and wisdom to fix our world. Picture
this meeting convening on a day when there is a media frenzy surrounding such a gathering of the worlds renown personalities.
It’s a red carpet spectacular. Each guest, one by one enters the conference hall while their
credentials are announced for everyone to hear. Once the opening ceremony ends and everyone settles into his or her seat, out
of everyone alive, you have the privilege to moderate the discussion.
Crisis after crisis is put on the table and the brilliant minds gathered are more than eager to provide input
one after another. No ones idea goes without consideration. Debate is vigorous to say
the least. Day after day and lengthy sessions involving difficult subjects have begun to show signs of ware on those gathered.
Other than solutions that have been tried in the past, the conference has yet to yield any concrete solutions to the
ills of this world. Though few are willing to admit it, frustration has begun to set in. - At this point you (the moderator) notice that a man,
you don’t recognize who is among the attendees has sat quietly for days as crosstalk, debate, lectures, statistics,
and every conceivable idea is shared. A sense of calm has continued about him even in the midst of such
a ruckus. In fact others around him seemed to behave as though he was not there. You
look at your manifest to find his seat number so you can identify him. When you locate it all that is written
in the ID box is, “carpenter.” You don’t
recall considering a carpenter for this kind of meeting. After
all what does this skill have to do with saving the world? You then conclude that this man somehow circumvented
procedure as well as security and somehow got into the meeting. Immediately you call for a recess and instruct
security to have him removed. Upon orders to remove the carpenter officers proceed to move in his direction.
With all the people in the hall now drawn to the swift movement of the security detail everyone began to mutter about
what was happening.
Finally, they arrive at the
location where the carpenter was seated and ask him for his credentials. He stands to his feet and is grabbed
by several of the officers. As they are leading him out of the hall, a dignitary from one the nations ask
who he is and why he must be removed. “He is a simple carpenter who somehow got around our security
measures” explained the head of security. A retired military general spoke up and voiced his
amazement over such stealth. Finally, someone, thinking it would be entertaining said, “Let’s
hear what he has to say.” One by one, others began to say the same until the security
officers were compelled to let him speak. The officers let go of the carpenter and back away. As they
do this, you (the moderator) feel a sense that things are about to get out of control,
but at about that time the carpenter looks at you as if to say, ‘I will not speak without your consent.’
Recognizing his humility you decide to allow him one opportunity to say something. Here is what
the carpenter did. -
After receiving approval the carpenter walked out of the conference hall through a side door and
after a few moments walked back in carrying what appeared to be a door frame.
 He took it to the front of the hall and stood it up. After this he said, “I am Jesus, the one you have heard about in the bible.” You’re
frosted! You just gave an insane man a platform to speak to the world leaders. Jesus
continued, “I am aware that the majority of you just relegated me to the class of the
insane, but all I ask of you is to hear me out for a moment and see if your heart confirms what I say.” “I brought this door frame up here to illustrate a point.” He then
asked for all of the dignitaries to move to one side of the hall where they would be on one side of the door frame (the opposite
side that he is on). After this he says, “Everyone here believes that they have the answer to this worlds needs, so let’s put that to the
test by answering one question.” “Whoever has what this world cannot
survive without is the most relevant person in the room. Is there anyone here who can honestly say
that you provide what the world cannot survive without?”
“If so, I want you to join me by walking through the door frame and stand next
to me.” No one moved from their position. - Jesus then said: “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved,
and will go in and out and find pasture (his needs will be met). The thief does not come except to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly.”
(John 10:9-10) “Ladies and gentleman, in all of your
good efforts to save humanity; to fix all of your problems; to protect lives from destruction; to end war; to eradicate starvation.
In all your good it’s not sufficient, for you will find in yourself the cycle of sin that has caused and
will perpetuate your condition.” “If I am who the bible says, ‘the
way, the truth and life,’ then it makes perfect sense that I be included; that every discussion be influenced from my
perspective. If you exist because of me, it makes perfect sense to consult me regarding solutions.”
You cannot be successful if your decisions are not filtered through me and my way; my wisdom.” “Ask yourself, who is the most relevant person in the room?” -
At
this point, the carpenter walks to his seat and sits down and you (the moderator) are left with the responsibility to make
the next move. What will you do? Think carefully about your answer. You
are about to move the gathering back into the battle of human ego or yield the floor to
the carpenter. When it gets down to it; in the end; this is the personal issue each of us face. Who
is the most relevant person in the room; in my life? Is
it me? If so, my life will reflect it. If it is Jesus, our daily conversation should
be dominated by him. I understand what one Christian author says when he said, “I keep trying to bring Jesus into my conversations. Yet I continually marvel that so many
God-fearing Christians are eager to take random conversation anywhere but to Jesus.”
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