There He Is

Having been taken through a lengthy path, as we are being made aware of the four promised facts, found in Jesus’ cautionary words to His disciples, we move on. People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. Luke 17: 23. 

Having looked at the first fact, People will tell you, we go to Fact Two. There he is! The word, there, gives description and understanding of the place where a thing is, or a person is. It does not give specifically coordinated details, directions, or markers of where someone, or something is. However, it does give the understanding that whatever the location, the person is not right here with you. The describing word, there, may mean a good way off, or a short way off.

Here’s an example, which takes us into the understanding of the word, there, meaning, some distance away.

Once, when Jesus had entered the country of the Gergesenes, two demon-possessed men met Him. As Jesus was about to cast them out of the possessed people, the demons asked to be sent into some swine, that were over there. And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. Matthew 8: 30 KJV. This image has only been used to give an understanding that something that is, there, able to be seen, can be something that is yet a far distance away.

Is Jesus telling us that people are saying that the Son of Man is present, but He is a far distance away from us? Are we living the words, teaching, and preaching of people who are telling us, concerning the Son of Man, there He is, meaning that He is a good way off or some distance away from where we are?

What does your life show, in relation to what these people are saying to us? Do our actions, our deeds, our words, our very living, give perfect testimony to the words of those who say of Jesus, There He Is! He is present, but He is a good way off?  

Now we turn to another example, a most vivid example at that, of the describing word, there, as not being a good way off, but nearby.

We have been shown Abraham, as he meets the three visitors, to his place of abode. The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. Genesis 18: 1 – 2. Once again, this image has only been used, to give an appreciation of the fact that someone who is, there, able to be seen, can be someone who is not a far distance away. Yes, we are told that the visitors to Abraham’s place were, standing nearby. They were there, not far away, but nearby.

Is Jesus telling us that people are saying that the Son of Man is present, but He is a near distance away from us? Are we living the words, teaching, and preaching of people who are telling us, concerning the Son of Man, there He is, meaning that He is still a little way off, or that He is nearby to where we are?  

What does your life show, in relation to what these people are saying to us? Do our actions, our deeds, our words, our very living, give perfect testimony to the pronouncements and announcements of people, who are saying to us, concerning the Son of Man, There He Is!  He is present, but nearby?  

Remember, Jesus has addressed His words specifically to His disciples, not to all and sundry. Then he said to his disciples, The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Luke 17: 22

Tomorrow, we carry on in like manner, as the Lord wills.