A Jesus People Want

John Hopper — 

I’ve never met a pushy salesperson in an Apple Store. I’m guessing that’s because everyone who walks in already wants every iThing the store offers. 

Not so with other stores. Step through the door with simple curiosity, and you’re hounded by a salesperson until you either capitulate or run for your life. 

When it comes to sharing Jesus, it’s easy to feel like we must get people to buy what they don’t want. And it’s true—they probably don’t want our Jesus if all He offers in return is getting up early on Sunday mornings, the finger of shame, or a strait-laced family life. 

But what if Jesus were presented as something different than that? What if Jesus is what people actually want? 

I’ve asked people what they want. Here’s what I’ve heard in return: peace, love, patience, happiness, vibrant health, adventure, no more suffering, a kinder world, the end of evil, acceptance, meaningful work, good friends, forgiveness. 

That’s a good list, isn’t it? And it’s also what Jesus offers—either in this life or the next. 

You see, the news about Jesus isn’t just true—it’s good. Very good. And when we help people see that, we don’t need to pester or prod, hoping they’ll buy what we’re selling. 

I’ve long been drawn to 1 Peter 3:15. It reads: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (NIV) 

There’s much we can glean from these words, but what intrigues me most is that it assumes people have seen something in us that makes them ask questions. It supposes they’ve seen hope instead of despair, peace instead of anxiety, love instead of discord, forgiveness instead of resentment. In other words, it assumes they’ve seen the goodness of Jesus at work in our lives. 

Recently, I ordered a rather eye-catching meal at a local restaurant, and it wasn’t long before someone walked by and asked what I had ordered. Clearly, after seeing what they had only read about on the menu, they wanted what I had. No sales pitch needed. 

I have a hunch that people aren’t as resistant to Jesus as we think. They just need to see the goodness of Jesus served up in our lives—the goodness they already long for. If they do see it, you can speak of Jesus with gentleness and respect, and leave any sales tactics at the door. 

John Hopper is the Executive Director of REACH, the author of Questioning God and Giving Jesus Away, a lover of a great family, and a big fan of tennis.