10 a.m. – The Announcement

“To all students and faculty: Jesus of Nazareth will arrive on campus in one hour. BE PREPARED!” I read in the email from President Phil Schubert on my laptop.

It took about 10 seconds before the first Yik Yak buzz started howling, sending the whole campus into commotion.

Some of my classmates started dusting off their Bibles to cram in some information, just in case Jesus came to their class and gave them a pop quiz. Others thought it was a silly joke to get them to show up to Chapel.

10:30 a.m. – First Sighting

Moments later, while walking to my next class, I saw a man in sandals and a dusty robe walking down EN 16th Street. It was crazy. The sun was reflecting and bouncing off him like he owned the thing. But maybe he bought that on the fourth day.

As my journalistic and childhood minds took over. I’d thought back on how I always thought it was cool to be one of the 12 disciples. I decided to go up to him and follow him around for whatever time I had.

Despite what the email said, when I approached Jesus, he informed me that he had actually spent the night.

He said that when he showed up, the nice Mabee and Wessel halls were overpacked. Jesus was left to stay in the older sophomore dorms. And not just any sophomore dorm, the only open room was on the third floor of Smith-Adams.

“Even though I walked from Judea to Galilee preaching the gospel,” Jesus said, coughing slightly, “that walk from Smith-Adams to campus felt longer. I woke up and even had to heal myself from some mold sickness.”

11 a.m. – Chapel

When Jesus walked into Chapel, Moody was standing-room only. The worship was delightful, but still, the presence of phones filled the room as students were Snapchatting and playing Wordle.

Jesus stopped for a second and went straight to the stage.

“Matthew 15:8,” he said. “‘People draw close to me with their mouth and talk good about me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”

Silence filled Moody. Even the top-row balcony kids stopped whispering.

11:30 a.m. – The Bean

After Chapel, Jesus walked into the Bean, where the smell didn’t smell like the Bean on tour day.

Over lunch, a young couple was arguing about going on some kind of break. At one point, the man told his girlfriend she needed to “chill” and that she was “tripping.”

Even Jesus knew that was a no-no. He ran over to their table in the corner just as she was about to slap him.

“Ephesians 4:29,” he said. “‘Do not let any negative talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others.’”

He then turned and glanced toward a Bean staff member.

“You really charge this much for dry chicken?” Jesus said. “I fed five thousand for free, and no one needed a meal swipe.”

12:30 p.m. – The Football Field

Then Jesus made it over to Wildcat Stadium, where the football team was in the middle of a scrimmage. A receiver dropped a pass, then followed it up with a word that definitely wasn’t in Scripture.

“Matthew 12:36,” Jesus said. “‘You will give an account for every careless word you speak.’”

All the players went silent.

“If you play for me and wear that ‘C’ in the ACU logo on your jersey,” he said. “Then, let your mouths match that when you play.”

1 p.m. – The Parking Lots

Jesus walked past Nelson and Bullock, noticing the empty cars in the lots.

“Strange,” he said. “These are always full at 11 p.m.”

He looked toward the dorm and made a statement in the open.

“Would you do all the same things at your nighttime gatherings in front of your grandparents?” Jesus said. “‘Matthew 26:41: Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’”

1:30 p.m. – Wildcat Central

Finally, Jesus stepped into Wildcat Central. The line was long with students waiting to talk to their advisors.

He frowned. “My Father’s house was turned into a den of thieves,” he said. “And you’ve built your own version with that tuition.”

Pointing to a banner reading, “Educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world,” he said, “Do not preach light while charging your students for every ray up there. If you don’t remember, salvation was free. Schooling shouldn’t cost this much money.”

1:45 p.m. – The Reflection

As Jesus walked back toward Smith-Adams, the students followed a lot quieter this time, with phones tucked away.

“Are you disappointed in us?” a student finally asked.

He smiled. 

“No,” Jesus said. “Just reminding you that being a follower isn’t about how many Chapel credits you get. It’s about how you treat people when Chapel ends.”

He turned to leave but looked back one last time.

“I will stay in the beautiful Wessel Hall next time I come,” he said. “Until then, make sure that you are living the way you would if I were here.”

“Because I am.”