Do Others See Jesus In You?
"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." -- John 15:5-7
Would you live your life any differently if Jesus were walking beside you today? I'm not talking in the Spirit. As believers, we know that Jesus is with us always. I'm talking about if He were as present to you as your spouse, your best friend or the preacher on Sunday morning. If He were standing there beside you and you could reach out and grab His hand, would you be living your life any differently?
You're probably squirming a little bit right now. Maybe even getting all puffed up and defensive. You live a good life, you're thinking. And you probably do. We're all sinners. Jesus knows that. He paid the price for those sins. But would you do anything different if He were going through your day with you?
For example, would you honk your horn and yell at that driver who just cut you off in traffic? Would you have an attitude with the cashier because the line was so long? Remember Jesus is right next to you in that line. He's probably smiling at the cashier. He knows how difficult it is to be on your feet hour after hour. He knows it isn't her fault the line is so long. Jesus is patient and kind. His manner shines against your darkness. His compassion is a stark contrast to your impatience.
Would you rush past the elderly widow at church, refusing to take time you think you don't have to speak kindly with her? Jesus would stop. He would make time. He'd probably give you a look, grab your arm and tell you a parable that would make you squirm. He'd make His point so that maybe next time you'd remember to care for the widows around you.
Would you take a nap during the church service? Would you complain that the preacher talked too long? Would you spend the afternoon working if Jesus was walking beside you?
Would you behave differently is He went with you to your job on Monday morning. He'd be right there listening when you criticized your boss. He'd hear every word as you and a few co-workers gossiped about a fellow employee. He'd see you ignore a new worker who sat alone at lunch.
I think sometimes we try to fool ourselves into thinking that God doesn't really see the "little" bad things we do each day. We're so busy having our day that it probably doesn't even occur to us that what we're doing is wrong. We're focused on ourselves, not the people we encounter. See that's one big difference between us and Jesus. He notices people. He interacts with them. He is gracious and kind, loving and forgiving. Doesn't sound too much like us, does He?
As Christians, Jesus is supposed to live inside of us. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us through life and make sure we would never be alone. Yet we live as though we are alone. We live as though Jesus doesn't see what we do. No wonder people are turning away from Christianity and seeking God somewhere else. They don't see Him in us, so they assume we don't know Him either.
We know we are Christians through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The world knows we are Christians when they "see" Him walking beside us and living within us.
