A burglar hears, "Jesus is watching you." As he continues he hears again, "Jesus is watching you." Finally he discovers it is a parrot named Clarence. Relieved he asks, "Who names their bird Clarence?" "The same people who name their rottwhiler Jesus!"
Many of us have a certain fear when we hear, "Jesus is watching you." The truth is, Jesus would say, "Fear not!" That was his customary greeting. Even angels greet with "Fear not" in the nativity narrative. First to Mary, then to Joseph, and finally to the shepherds.
There are over 100 "fear not" and "do not be afraid" references in the bible, and several hundred more "fear" quotes that tell us to reverence the Lord and to fear nothing else.
Now imagine spending the day with Jesus as He walks through every nook and cranny of your life. A writer compared it to walking in your orchard with Jesus. As you stroll together, Jesus smiles and gets happier and happier while you get more nervous.
Jesus doesn't seem to see the scraggly bushes of your pride and moodiness. He doesn't see the tall weeds of hurting your neighbour. He starts pointing out the different fruits of your life.
You hold your tongue, not wanting to interrupt. He sees the way you went out of your way to help others; how you serve your family. There really is much fruit here.
Yes, he sees the bad fruits and weeds as well, but in the end he says, "I love you, and I've been helping you grow all this fruit for so many years. I haven't stopped working in your orchard, and I see all the ways you are welcoming me."
He continues, "With the power of my cross, with the grace of my indwelling spirit, it is only a matter of time before the good fruit overtakes the weeds. Now just imagine how much more fruit you would bear if you spent a little more time with me every day" (from The Word Among Us, October 2012, p.40).
Jesus is a "the cup is more than half full" kind of guy. Like the Prodigal Father (Luke 15) he watches for us and paces for us when we stray, and is anxious to meet us and embrace us on our return.
Incredibly, Jesus forgives the very men who crucify him on the cross: "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Do we know what we are doing?
