Noticing the Least
Imagine a female celebrity so famous that people all over the world know her name and her face. Everyone seeks to meet and be photographed with her. This woman travels the world, sharing one key message with world leaders, business people, blue-collar workers, college students—everyone. Currently traveling in a foreign land, her hosts are eager to honor her.
Now imagine a homeless man by the side of the road. He’s filthy and smells awful. He hasn’t enjoyed a bath in a very long time. Worse, he’s become invisible to his countrymen. People walk past him, ignoring his existence completely. Now he’s physically ill, but no one notices.
Except for one person.
Passing by, the celebrity’s car immediately stops.
At the bidding of Mother Theresa of India, the homeless man’s fellow Londoners lift him into the vehicle and interrupt their busy schedule to transport the ailing man to a place where he can be helped.
During her lifetime, hurting people weren’t ever invisible to the tiny nun from Calcutta. Because when she walled this earth, Mother Theresa’s heart reflected her Heavenly Father’s loving, compassionate nature.
Jesus too, stopped to serve the least.
A True Friend of Sinners
One of the greatest insults Jesus’ enemies could toss in His direction was the contemptuous phrase, “A friend of tax collectors and sinners.”
Lucky for us, these words about our Savior and Redeemer are true. The Pharisees’ pride must have been a horrible stench in Christ’s nose, after enjoying the pure air of Heaven. Yet He died for their sin as well. Indeed, in Acts 15:5, some Pharisees had “come out of the closet” and are openly standing up as true believers of Jesus Christ. I imagine Nicodemus, with his tender, teachable heart, stood there too, listening to the debate.
“We serve a God who wants us to run toward Him when we sin.” (1 John 1:9)
A Unique Deity
Once the price for sin had been forever paid, the believer’s relationship to the Trinity radically altered into something brand new.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NIV)
We’re invited to seek His presence whenever we mess up and sin again.
Every other religion I know which acknowledges human wickedness requires sacrifices, penitence and “spiritual groveling” to appease their angry gods or goddesses.
Not us.
No matter what our spiritual condition, we can freely seek the One who seeks us.
These images came from pixabay.com.
