Desire to be known

I remember watching the highlights of the Logie Awards on television. I saw the celebrities and other famous people walking down the centre of the regaled ‘red carpet’ area on their way to the presentations. They were glittering in the flash of cameras wherever they went. And I also saw the screaming throng of young people on the other side of the roped off area, waving and cheering at their favourite stars. Not having ever been a cheerer and screamer myself, I wondered what goes through the minds of people when they are in the company of greatness or fame, but not quite a part of it.

Then I remembered a story I once heard, of a king from a far away land who visited a township and laid the foundation stone for a new hospital. As part of his visit, the king also went to a local school, where the children sang and danced for him. But upon his departure, a teacher saw a small child crying in the corner of the room, away from her classmates and friends. The teacher asked why she was crying. ‘Didn’t you see the king?’ ‘Yes, teacher’, squeaked the little girl’s voice, ‘But the king did not see me’. This story caused me to wonder if at celebrity events, people are actually more hopeful of being seen by their idols, than of seeing them. We would have to agree, this is the reality of our human condition. Much more than wanting to know great people, we want to be known by them. But most of us never are.

The Bible tells of the throngs of people who followed Jesus wherever He went. Unlike the celebrities on television, Jesus didn’t just wave at the people from a red carpet on the other side of a roped off area. In fact, one story from Scripture recounts how a small and insignificant man, in his desperation and loneliness, climbed a tree in the hope that he would see Jesus, and that Jesus would see Him. Jesus stopped, looked at this man, and perhaps He even pointed to him. Then He said, ‘I want to come and eat with you’. In doing this, Jesus was actually saying, ‘I have come for more than to be seen from afar. I know you, and I want you to know that I know you’.

Jesus wants us all to know that we are seen and known. He doesn’t just want a throng of fans and supporters. He doesn’t wave at us from afar. Nor is He impressed by our cheers and screams. He doesn’t glance fleetingly in our direction and then move on. Jesus doesn’t give autographs. He sees us and He knows us.

Chris Burke

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Feature Articles
September 2008

Searching out a man

The new birth

Signs of the times

The national anthem

Overcoming fear & anxiety

Anointed with oil

Compassion that restores

The success formula

Desire to be known

At ease in your youth

The mother of all wars