Jesus knows I robbed a bank—five of them, to be exact. Jesus knows I am selfish and stubborn. Jesus knows I served almost 11 years in federal prison. In the 10th year, Jesus knows how I sat in a cell, alone, crying after the prison guard enjoyed telling me that my 50-year-old dad died from cancer. 

Jesus watched me leave prison. Jesus watched me struggle to find a job. Any job. Jesus watched me struggle to operate a cell phone, navigate the internet, and discuss my past.

We have this vision of Jesus up in the clouds. But that can’t be right.

Jesus heard how I blew it with Annie, how I let her go without much of a fight. Jesus heard me praying to get her back. Jesus heard me scream with delight when she came back and said yes. And Jesus heard me scream, with fright this time, a week later when I found out she was pregnant.

Jesus probably screamed a few months later when he witnessed me give my life to him. It was likely a scream of exasperation. As in, “What took you so long, son?” And Jesus probably screamed again, when Annie, now my wife, also decided to follow him.

The Jesus of the Bible is God with us.

Jesus had to smile when my son was born on Christmas day; they share birthdays now. Jesus had to smile as I smiled when I called my son by the same name, Mark, as my deceased father. And Jesus had to smile last fall when our daughter, Grace, was born—for I’ve not met anyone yet who hasn’t smiled when they see that adorable girl.

Jesus had to laugh when the New York Times wrote a story about my legal successes—writing legal briefs sent to the U.S. Supreme Court. Because who saw that coming but Jesus! Jesus has to laugh even harder when he watches me struggle to raise a willful young boy. 

Jesus Loved Me Enough

Through it all, Jesus loved me. Jesus loved me enough to correct me. And Jesus loved me enough to forgive me even when others wouldn’t and even when I couldn’t forgive myself for the things I had done. In other words, Jesus loved me enough to provide grace. An unmerited grace.

Jesus continues to bless me. Jesus blessed me with a wonderful family and an amazing church family. Jesus blessed me with a public service law scholarship that pays me to attend law school. Jesus blessed me with a book deal, so I can share our story of his grace in my life with others.

Jesus Is Active in Our Lives

I think we have this vision of Jesus up in the clouds, waving angels around to do his bidding, rather than a hands-on Jesus involved with our daily lives. But that can’t be right. The Jesus of the Bible is God with us.

What that means is that he is always there, always close, if we would just call out to him, repent, and believe.

Jesus rides shotgun in our lives.

Jesus is our active Savior and friend.

And that, I can attest, is good news.