May 4, 2020 (Monday)
I confess. I did it. It happened when I was 13 years old, attending the Assembly of God with my stepmother. If I had been sitting by her side I would not have done it. But I did it. I threw “spitwads” at at the back of girls’ heads who were sitting in front of me at church. I was not being mean; I was trying to get their attention. I suppose I thought it was cute. I did that during the singing, praying and preaching. I’m not covering it up. I did it. I should not have done it. I’m sorry now that I did it. But I did it.
After the worship service was over, one of the main members sought me out and, I believe today, tried to help me. He explained to me that the behavior was not good. It was bad. And then he asked, “What if the Lord had come back while you were doing that? What would you say to Him?” He made a very good point, because that’s what Jesus talked about when He discussed His Second Coming. He urged us to be found faithful when He comes.
Another point he could have made was something I have thought of many times through the years as I reflected upon that shameful behavior of mine. The point is, “Jesus is watching over you.” I needed to use my mind and visualize Jesus with me all the time, observing my behavior, sometimes good and sometimes bad.
It may seem naive, but I believe we Christians should visualize Jesus looking over our shoulder, seeing and hearing all we do. This is especially true in our polarized culture in which we are confronted on every hand by the situation, “US and THEM.” Is name-calling a Christian behavior? Is ridiculing sinners our “Great Commission?” No, but Jesus did tell us to go everywhere sharing His love and transforming power.
Can we truly make a difference in this fractured world? We can. How? By practicing the Christian life, which is summed up in the “Fruit of the Spirit:” Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.” As the song urges us, “Live for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that we do.”
Let us study the gospels and concentrate on the fact that Jesus accepted people instead of calling them names, or making derogatory remarks about them. The one time he called people “hypocrites” was in confrontation with religious leaders who were proud of misrepresenting God with their insincere and awful ungodly behavior.
Jesus ate with sinners, healed on the Sabbath, refused to join in condemning a sinful woman, and accepted everyone, even a hated tax collector. He changed people by loving them. He expects His children to follow in His steps. He loves everyone and teaches us to do the same.
When Jesus went to Jericho, a blind man named Bartimaeus, sat at the gate, begging. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he called out, as loudly as he could, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Even Jesus’ disciples tried to quieten him down, but he called and called, until Jesus heard him. Why did he do that? Because he knew that Jesus was his only hope.
Years ago, a great evangelistic crusade took place in a South American country. A friend of mine returned from his visit there at that time, and he was wearing a beautiful lapel pin, which read “Cristo la unica esperanza.” (Christ the only hope!) Christ is still the only hope for a fractured, suffering world. But let us remember that He not only gives us a home in Heaven, He changes us so that we can become more like Him.
To Be Like Jesus
1st verse and music by Henry Slaughter
2nd verse by Gloria Gaither
1971
(Begin with chorus)
He lifted up the fallen man, He gave the world a helping hand,
His heart was touched each time He saw a soul in need;
Displaying kindness everywhere,
Mercy and love was His to share,
And like this Man of Galilee I want to be.
Chorus
To be like Jesus, To be like Jesus, All I ask to be like Him.
All thro’ life’s journey from earth to Glory, All I ask to be like Him.
His look of love went everywhere,
And lives were changed when He was there,
Hungry eyes and hungry souls felt His embrace.
He stooped to mend each crippled child,
His healing touch was strong but mild,
and like this Man of Galilee I want to be.
TO BE LIKE JESUS
(Just the chorus, and a short verse)
To be like Jesus
To be like Jesus
All I ask….
To be like Him
All through Life’s journey
From Earth to Glory
All I ask …
To be like Him.
To be like Jesus
To be like Jesus
All I ask….
To be like Him
Not in a measure
But in its fullness
All I ask …
To be like Him.