In Scripture, there are accounts of people appearing drunk (see Acts 2:14-15), because they were just healed by GOD, because of their closeness to GOD, or because of direct revelation of GOD (such as with the Pentecost prayer). There are other examples, too. This sort of overtakenness, of sheer out-of-control peace, joy, and elation, is an element of Christianity that, from what I can tell, is not only surprisingly little discussed amongst Christians, but furthermore, I have seen it often rebuked and scorned by Christians. But not only does Scripture discuss this in more than a few places, but further, it is a weekly, even daily occurrence in the jail ministry. Last week Thursday, for example, was a particularly deep day in jail ministry, all afternoon, just very powerful jail ministry, from one jail cell to the next. Often I have quite vividly what I call, “the Jesus high.” Many of you I am sure know what I am talking about. I can get that in praying, reading Scripture, playing in the praise band at church, and other ways, but nothing is like when serving the poorest of GOD’s Kingdom (see Luke 6:20). Times like these make you want to just walk around and help people, in any way you can. Christ said He came to serve (Matt 20:28), and to preach:
And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. Luke 443 (also see Mark 16:15, Romans 1:8, etc.)
So, when we serve and pray (assuming we do this in total surrender, see Gal 2:20, Mark 8:34), we imitate Him, Jesus Christ (GOD) at His core. I say at His core because sacrificing self for our brother is the greatest love, which is of GOD (see 1 John 4:7-8), and the only way He acts, the only way He is:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
I believe that’s why we sometimes get the “Jesus high,” when on the jail floor for a long time, day after day.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11
From what I see, GOD’s light explodes from within our souls in these times. In these times, everything around me that I see, I love.[1] This is very often, weekly, or close to daily, at and during the hours following my time of ministering and serving in the jail. It is believed by some that Francis of Assisi would say that: that GOD makes a person love everything that they see. Francis of Assisi is my favorite theologian outside of the Bible. Jesus Christ is the new wine.
Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. Isaiah 29:9
I only have this effect, the Jesus high, become regular when I am on the jail floor a lot: daily for sure, but also week-in, week-out. That’s when it really takes over my life. Praise GOD that He reveals His presence to us, and lets us see Him:
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Cor 13:12
Endnote:
[1] Saying we love all we can see around us would not, of course, include evil, since in being saved, we will be formed in Christ, so that we discern and hate evil (see Ps 97:10). Sin and evil are different, compare Galatians 2:17 and Isa 45:7 in the King James wording (not in the wording of the new Bibles: NIV, NKJV, NASB, etc.).
