Jesus, Facebook, and Me
The Monday after Easter Sunday this year, Jesus posted this on my Facebook timeline:
Nan, you know your personal hell? It has left the building. Just you and me now. Peace, dear woman.
I’m sure you’re wondering if I made this up, but it’s true. Jesus Benyosef has a Facebook account. For those skeptics, all I can tell you is that there is a Jesus Benyosef, a John TheBaptist Benzachar, Andrew Barjonas, Mary and Martha Bethan, John MacZebedee, and a whole host of others who appear to be “walking through the gospel” in real time, or at least, Facebook time. They talk about biblical events as if they are happening present-day and do so in present-day language, allowing us “friends” to participate in the gospel events with them.
I was surprised by Jesus Benyosef’s message to me, and even more surprised by my immediate response to it. I was in my office at school when I checked my Facebook account (instructors have to take breaks, too), and immediately, my eyes began to fill with tears. Had I been at home, I probably would have had a good cry.
This puzzled me, because I have a very good and happy life, and while I have had a few seasons of “personal hells,” right now I’m in the clear. So why did I start to cry at the suggestion of Jesus that my personal hell has left the building?
After some reflection, I think the reason that Jesus Benyosef’s kind words affected me was because they reminded me of words I had heard before, yet they were communicated in today’s language:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27, NIV).
Despite the different wording, I know that these words are true both now and in the future, whenever I need them. And given that I live in a frail and fallen world, I’m sure that there will come a time when I will hold on to these words again tightly, knowing that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are meeting me where I am, in all my brokenness, and encouraging me in language that I can relate to. Jesus isn’t stuck in King James land, unable to talk to a 21st-century me. He is here; he is now; he is relevant.
I like having Jesus as a friend, on Facebook and in life, because he knows how it feels to be human, yet he knows how to deliver comfort from the Father through the Holy Spirit in just the right way at just the right time. His words of comfort aren’t limited to just the Bible but can come through a song, a written note, or even a Facebook timeline post from a friend.
Jesus Benyosef’s words on my timeline are true for you, too:
(insert your name here), you know your personal hell? It has left the building. Just you and me now. Peace, dear friend.
~by Nan Kuhlman
Trinity and Humanity 
Great post, Nan! I’ve had a similar reaction as I’ve followed this on Facebook. It really is amazing how real it makes the gospel. Another blogger has discovered it and likes it as well – I don’t know the person who blogged this, but it’s interesting that she had a similar take on it: http://www.bigmouthagain.com/2012/04/what-friend-we-have-in-jesus.html
Jonathan,
I saw Julie’s blog post after I had already written my posting. At first, I wasn’t sure if I should use it because her angle is the same as mine, but I decided that it was an angle worth repeating through slightly different words. BTW, I’m glad you’re Jesus’s friend on Facebook, too!
Nan
I’m going to request Jesus be my Facebook friend too. I needed that message today.
Jane,
Glad to hear. Thanks for taking time to comment!
Nan
It certainly does bear repeating, Nan – I’m glad you decided to post your entry anyway! Thanks for reading mine… you, too, Pastor Jonathan!
Julie,
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Nan