This week, you passed Jesus dozens of times: did you see Him?
I’m not talking about the softly glowing figure of baby Jesus adorning front yards all along your street. I’m not talking about the dramatic nativity scenes on church grounds around town or the artistic depictions of Him on those cards that came in the mail.
I’m talking about that mother who exited the store with a screaming toddler thrashing in her arms. I’m talking about the widow three houses down who went to bed hungry and that kid in the cafeteria who sat alone during lunch. I’m talking about the homeless man by the side of the road and that middle-aged man standing in line with you at the pharmacy, full of fear because of what the doctor just told him.
Jesus was right there next to you: did you see Him?
Describing what happens when “the Son of Man comes in His glory”, Jesus said those on the right will hear Him say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Matthew 25:31-36). When the righteous question Him on when they did all of this, He will reply, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (25:40).
Every time we lovingly comfort those in pain, we celebrate Jesus, and we serve Him by humbly helping those in need. As John Fischer’s late 20th century hymn goes, “Have you seen Jesus my Lord? He’s here in plain view. Take a look, open your eyes: He’ll show it to you.”
Praise God that so many will be thinking about His Son as we pass the month with joyful celebrations and family gatherings. Yet, all the pageantry and festivity of the season are no substitute for the celebration of God’s love Jesus asked of us: caring for the least of these. Everywhere that there is a hurting person, there is an opportunity to see Jesus. Come, let us adore Him.
Ready to learn from Jesus how to really serve? Check out our “Make Me a Servant” series on our sermon podcast page.