Listening to Christian radio — Air One — on my way home yesterday, the DJ asked the audience a question that he was asked in a television interview recently.

If you were stuck in an elevator with Jesus for a couple of hours, what would you talk about?

The DJ admitted he asked for the camera to be turned off so he could think about it. He didn’t want to throw out some glib or “Christian” answer. He eventually decided that he would ask Jesus if he was a fraud. It’s easy to act Christian. To be genuine heart and soul, how sure can any of us be that we’re completely genuine, not merely going through the expected motions of Christianity.

A good thought.

He also mentioned a poll that said over 60% of respondents said, “Why didn’t Jesus simply fix the elevator?”

A lady called up and said, “There’s nothing in the Bible about Jesus and the disciples laughing and telling jokes. If they were anything like men of today when they get together, they’re always trying to up one another on the funniest joke or story. I would ask Jesus what the funniest joke or story he ever heard or said when he was here on earth.”

I loved that, so much so I wish I had thought of it.

I have been thinking about my answer as well.

Let me start by sharing a story about a tax collector.

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Luke 19:1-10

What does being stuck in an elevator have to do with Zaccheus?

What made Jesus notice him in the first place (aside from the fact that he was in a tree)? Jesus knew Zaccheus’ heart. He knew it was ripe for change, so he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to change it.

I figure if I’m stuck in an elevator with Jesus, it means he has something to say to me. He would know my heart, my needs and desires much better than I could ever dream of or articulate, so I would have no choice but to let him guide the conversation. Getting a visitation from Jesus would be both exciting and frightening. I couldn’t help but think, “Oh, my, what did I do to warrant a visitation from the Lord himself?”

That said, I imagine I would have more questions than he could answer in the few hours we’re stuck there (assuming he didn’t halt time during our conversation). Some would be trivial such as, does the Loch Ness Monster really exist?

I may even want to know if his return will happen in my lifetime. I doubt he would tell me, but like the saying goes, it never hurts to ask.

The biggest question would be similar to what the DJ asked. What does God want me to accomplish on earth? How am I supposed to use my gifts to best further his kingdom?

Last of all, I would ask for his blessing, to give me strength, courage and to never give up on the tasks he’s given me out of fear or frustration.

Now it’s your turn. What would you ask or say to Jesus if you were stuck in an elevator with him?