Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

It is very interesting how clearly a person’s heart is revealed when you ask them about Jesus. Some people are very adept at putting up fronts, and in countries with a “Christian” culture they might be able to spout platitudes, but a few questions about Jesus can strip all of that away. The thing is, Jesus is not a cultural symbol, not just a “good teacher” or even a prophet. To push the issue, He’s not even a generic Savior. To someone who has truly encountered Him, He should be your Savior, and your Lord. To someone who has not yet encountered Him, but still is a seeker whose heart is tender toward God, He is a matter of intense interest, to be investigated thoroughly. There are some marvelous ex-Muslim believers today who are examples of that. We like to think we can appear to others as we choose, but this issue will strip away our masks. Hedonists, selfish people, the rebellious, the proud, all of these and more are clearly revealed with a few questions about who Jesus is to them. It is wise to ask yourself these questions, if you desire to be pleasing to God and spend eternity with Him.

It has been very interesting to me that the most vehement objections I have gotten when talking about Jesus have been from people from nominally Christian countries. I think some of them come to Japan to get away from Christians and Christianity! However, God loves them, too, so I am not to reject them out of hand. I am to keep talking about Jesus and asking people what they think of Him in order to get them to think, examine their own hearts, and perhaps turn to Him. I cannot save anyone, but I can perhaps be useful to the Lord for Him to do so, by providing a mirror for people to see themselves and their need.

Father, I still remember so clearly that time You tapped me on the shoulder and held up a mirror for me. Thank You for Your grace. Help me love people enough to confront them with Christ, even at the risk of their rejecting me. May I always speak Your truth in love, whatever the consequences to me, so that as many as will may be saved, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!