Where do you stand with Jesus?
Throughout the month of June, I taught summer session of ninth-grade English. We held daily Socratic seminars and philosophical debates. On the last day, I allowed students to decide their own questions to consider. Many students didn't know what question to ask so they nominated another student, Jonas*. Unbeknownst to them, this student wholeheartedly loves Jesus and desires his classmates to know Him. The room fell silent when Jonas wrote the question “Where do you stand with Jesus?” Students begged for another question. Jonas refused to waiver throughout the desperate begging to change the question. Students objected to the question because, as one stated, “Jesus is the ultimate controversial question.”
The class formed their desks into a circle, and Jonas reviewed the Socratic seminar expectations. Ten minutes of debate passed before the class capitulated and agreed to answer the question.
“So, I chose this question because a year ago, I hated Jesus. Now, he’s changed my life. I just want to know what you think about Jesus and if you’ve experienced anything spiritual,” Jonas said as he took a deep breath, “and remember that what you say is your experience.”
An usually quiet girl spoke up. “Well, I mean, this is what I think, but I doubt you want to hear me out, Jonas” She inspected every inch of Jonas’ body language. Jonas silently nodded, as if to encourage her to continue to speak.
“I really think it depends on each person. I mean, that’s what the question says — it’s talking about me. My family is from a native tribe in Arizona and I’ve seen my own cousins levitate 3 feet off the floor. Their faces were not their own. My family called the witch doctor and he couldn’t do anything about it with his crystals and smoke; so he called a priest. The priest came and rebuked the spirits. My cousins returned to themselves. I don’t know where I stand with Jesus but after that experience, I know that there’s more than what I can see.”
Jonas agreed and began to explain the unseen battle that is happening in the spiritual world. More questions arose and Jonas beautifully lead another discourse on discerning of Spirits. I sat and observed this student, whom I met only a few months before at Youth For Christ, in awe. Four months ago, Jonas had a difficult time praying out loud. He didn’t know where to begin reading his Bible. Furthermore, Jonas didn’t even know Jesus! Now, he’s leading a conversation about Jesus because Paul encouraged him to share his faith with others. Jonas was convicted and fully convinced of Jesus’ working in his life.
Forty-five minutes later, the room was buzzing with questions about Jesus. Some questions were directed at me. "Why do you believe the Bible?" "Ms. R, when did you start believing in Jesus? Why did you choose Jesus?"
Once I recieved an invite into the conversation, Jonas and I worked together to lead the conversation towards Jesus. It was a beautiful dance between Jonas’ gifts and my formal Biblical education.
By the end of class, many students came to the conclusion that the Bible was a controversial topic but couldn’t explain why. One student wrote on their post-discussion reflection: “I don’t know where I stand with Jesus, but I do know that I don’t feel so confused anymore.” Even though no one accepted Jesus in that classroom, many came to know more about the truth. Moreover, Jonas, being filled with the Holy Spirit, was able to stand firm in the questions because He had found a right relationship in Jesus that he just could not keep to himself.
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Lord, help me to be that 17 year old, unashamed and unwavering of what others think about me; yet — so changed, compelled, and convicted of my love for you that others must know the transformational truth of Jesus.
*Name has been changed
