Blue Umbrella Official Feb Mar 2019 issue | Page 18

Book Review: Seeing Jesus
I s Jesus Really With You All the Time?
By Monica A.
Seeing Jesus by Jeffrey McClain Jones
is a story about a middle-aged man named
Philly Thompson who gets a visit from Jesus.
Philly?s only family member, his
grandma, had a stroke and lay comatose in the
hospital. Upon hearing about it, Philly hurries to
the hospital and continues to visit her, but he is
at a loss as to how to communicate with her.
One day, Philly recalled that his grandma, an
earnest Christian, always prayed for him.
Hence, he decided that the best thing to say to
his comatose grandma was ?pray for me.? Philly
was feeling helpless, so he asked his grandma
if she could pray that Jesus would help him not
feel alone if she passed away. Little did he
know that his grandma was listening to him.
The next day, on Philly?s morning bus
ride to his job, he spots an unusual-looking
stranger who quickly starts a conversation with
him. It's soon apparent that this stranger has
supernatural powers; he knows Philly's
thoughts and he knows what Philly has in his
pocket. Philly asks him who he is and the man
responds that he is Jesus. Philly audibly
converses with Jesus but unknown to him, he is
the only one who can see and hear Jesus.
Over the next two weeks, Jesus
accompanies Philly everywhere. He talks to
Philly and gives him a healing gift. Philly?s life
undergoes changes during the physical
presence of Jesus. These changes can be
seen in his everyday activities and in his
relationships to others. Most importantly, his
own self-confidence is greatly increased due to
Jesus? physical presence.
Read the book to find out how Jesus
changes Philly's life for the better.
This contemporary occurrence of being
18
with Jesus was a refreshing, good read. I would
definitely recommend this book. Although it is
unarguably fiction, I believe it poses extremely
insightful and important questions: Would you
make the same choices if Jesus was physically
present, inquiringly looking into your face and
knowing exactly what you were thinking? How
would your life change if you really heard and
saw Jesus beside you each moment of every
single day?
Jones? book challenges the reader to
examine his own thoughts, reactions, and
behavior. God is always present with us ? just
not physically - but I think that sometimes we
forget. However, it would be impossible to
forget if we were to ever experience what Philly
did!
For the Christian reader, Jones? book
might bring a more attentive perspective to his
own relationship with the Lord. I admit that it is
easier to read about Philly doing the work than
doing it myself, but in order to get closer to God
we must strive to put in the hard work and effort
too.
Sometimes, we may find it difficult to talk
about our faith, pray, or go to church. We may
not want to speak up and stand for what we
believe. It is easier to follow the crowd and nod
along. Nevertheless, be inspired by Philly! Do
not conform to someone else?s expectations
and ideals. God is always there with you. He
holds you dear, and he loves you like no one
else will ever be able to love you.
I strongly recommend Seeing Jesus by
Jeffrey McClain Jones. I believe Christians and
non-Christians alike can enjoy this book. It is
masterfully written, and the characters are
genuinely relatable.