The Gospel in Unexpected Places

<p>Recently, I found myself someplace I&rsquo;d seen in movies and on TV more times that I could count: Hollywood, California. There, in the foothills of Los Angeles, those enormous white letters marched proudly across that famous hillside as I viewed them from my hotel window. <br /> <br /> Then I noticed something else: down to the left was a prominent cross. I&rsquo;d never seen <em>that</em> in a movie. And the moment I left my hotel room, some students from a local church began to share Jesus with me.</p> <p>We might sometimes think of Hollywood as only the epicenter of worldliness, in utter contrast with God&rsquo;s kingdom. Yet clearly Christ was at work there, catching me by surprise by His presence.</p> <p>The Pharisees were consistently surprised by where Jesus turned up. He didn&rsquo;t hang out with the people they expected. Instead, Mark 2:13&ndash;17 tells us He spent time with &ldquo;tax collectors and sinners&rdquo; (v. 15), people whose lives practically screamed &ldquo;Unclean!&rdquo; Yet there Jesus was, among those who needed Him most (v. 17).</p> <p>More than 2,000 years later, Jesus continues to plant His message of hope and salvation in unexpected places, among the most unexpected of people. And He&rsquo;s called and equipped us to be a part of that mission. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>