I'm Not From Around Here

by Howard Rosen, Jr
(Dillwyn, VA)

Pleasant Grove Baptist

John 7:25-32
Again we find Jesus teaching at the feast of the tabernacle. The Jews were still upset with him for healing on the Sabbath. Remember how He healed the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda?
They were still trying to judge him for the act, and totaling missing the wonderful truth of him making the man whole.

In verse 26 they begin to question where Jesus came from. Some say, don’t they know that this is the very Christ? Hoping that they had changed their mind because of his teaching, and others say, we know where he came from so it couldn’t be the Messiah.

Now in Verse 28 Jesus tells the Jews that what they see with the physical eye is not what He really is. He clearly points out that He comes from God and He is God in the flesh. Or in modern words…

I’M NOT FROM AROUND HERE!

Yes, I was born in an obscure village, a child of a peasant woman, without a bed to lie on, and no house to live in, without a cradle to be rocked in.
Yes, I worked in a carpenters shop until I was thirty years old; I worked and lived with my parents, but I’m Not From Around Here!

No I have never written a book, but I have inspired many.
No I have never written a poem, but I have touched many to write of me.
No I have never written a song, but many sing praises to my name.
No I have never held an office, although I have lead many that have.
No I have never been married or had a family, but I have been the in the midst of many.
No I have never owned a home or a place to lay my head, because you see…

I’m Not From Around Here!

You see, I am the First and the Last, the beginning and the End!
I am the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all.
I am the Architect of the universe, and the Manager of all times.
I am Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone.
I am the Son of Man, I am the Light of the World, am the Bread of life, I am the Door,
I am The Resurrection and the Life; I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
I have been called the True Vine and if anyone abides in me they will know…

I’m Not From Around Here!

Remember that where I am you can be also… Because…
I was bruised so you could be healed.
I was pierced to ease your pain.
I was persecuted so you could have freedom.
I was dead but brought to life, so that you can have life everlasting.

Yes, I was wounded in the house of my friends so that you would know that…
Grater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
I’m Not From Around Here, but you are my friends!

I’m Not From Around Here, but I will never leave or forsake you…
When you fall, I will lift you up!
When you fail, I will forgive you!
When you are weak, I will be strong!
When you have lost your way, remember I am the Way!
When you are afraid, I will give you courage!
When you are hurt, I will heal you!
When you are broken, I will mend you!
When you are hungry, I will feed you!
When you face trials, I will be your Lawyer!
When you face problems, I will comfort you!
When you face loss, I will provide for you!
When you face death, I will bring you home!

Because,

I’M NOT FROM AROUND HERE!

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also. John 14:1-3