I am a Jesus pusher!!! I was not there. I did not embrace Him physically nor participate in His miracles. I did not help drive the physical nails in His hands nor stand in the crowd and jeer. I did not receive the free food as the miracle power of God wrought the multiplication of bread and fish. I did not see the empty tomb nor question His resurrection with the disciples. The historical Jesus of two thousand years ago was not then my acquaintance for I was not. But I have heard from those who did. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life – the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us – that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:1-3).
I am a Jesus pusher!!! Therefore, do not think my experience is simply hearsay and invalid. I too have embraced Him. The historical Jesus of two thousand years ago has come to me as surely as He came to them. While the historical presence was absolutely necessary, it is not greater than the spiritual presence of the same Christ. I embrace Him, receive from Him, and hear from Him in a greater way than they ever dreamed in those three years of ministry. He is not different from then to now, but is the same Jesus. What He did for them, He is doing for me and greater. Would I trade places with them? Not on your life! I am a Jesus pusher for the eternal Christ has come to me!!!