The wedding music had begun and the groomsmen had taken their place. The bridal party came down the aisle one by one and gracefully stood at the front of the church. We all waited with expectation for the bride to come, but we were surprised.

A stranger started walking down the aisle toward us; and behind him stood a very shocked bride. Our guest looked like he did not know what to do. All the seats were taken and he seemed as trapped as we were surprised. His grayish suit kind of matched the groom’s tuxedo, but then, it really didn’t. He picked up a frightened embarrassed pace and went to the organ and got between it and the wall.

The wedding continued on without a hitch, but it seemed like some people were more concerned about what our guest was going to do next. When the ceremony was over and the newlyweds were out the door, some of the men converged on our visitor and made sure that he left the church. That was the day when a groundhog came to the wedding.

Wherever Jesus went it seems that the unexpected would always find Him. A man was lowered down through the roof, another came out from the tombs, a wealthy citizen was up a tree and out on a limb; a beggar sat by the side of the road calling His name. Jesus had time for each one, and always met them with unexpected grace. They had been so used to being ignored that they could hardly believe that Jesus cared for them too.

How will we meet the unexpected today? Will we be too busy or perhaps just look away? What if we find out later that the unexpected had an unexpected name? “When Lord, did we see you…?” Jesus answered, “In as much as you have done (or not done) unto the least of these, you have done unto me.”

“Something good is going to happen to you
Happen to you this very day.
Something good is going to happen to you
Jesus of Nazareth is passing your way.”