What Does Jesus Look Like?

 "When they crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to Him and begged Him to let the sick just touch the edge of His cloak, and all who touched it were healed." Matthew 14: 34-36

    What does Jesus look like? 

    The people who walked the ancient roads of the Promised Land had the benefit of seeing our Messiah in the flesh. (Can you imagine seeing God Incarnate?) But how do I recognize the living Savior these days? 

    I must look for the work of His hands in the bodies of His believers, we who are the temples of His Holy Spirit. Like the glow of warm light seen from stained glass windows of a steepled church on a snowy night, we are to let our light shine, inviting all to come and see.

    Reflecting on this past week, I saw Jesus on TV wearing the orange tee shirt of a Samaritan's Purse volunteer, mucking mud from homes in North Carolina, while another was repairing the roof after Hurricane Helene did her damage. 

    I saw Jesus in the petite form of actress Patricia Heaton as she was being interviewed in Israel. Though she has a husband and four sons in the States, she is doing all she can to support our Jewish friends who are suffering beneath burdens of war and antisemitism. She is living out the truth of the Gospel. She and a friend established the O7C (October 7th Coalition) to bring awareness and assistance to Israel and the Jewish communities around us.

    This weekend, I saw Jesus in the smiling, singing faces of actors who portrayed the characters of the biblical story of Ruth in a play we attended. In the final scene, a cross arose with scarlet ribbons of redemption flowing out toward the audience as voices swelled with the invitation to Come! Come to the cross for healing.

    Will a passerby recognize Christ in me? Am I plainly garbed in the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness, with the belt of truth girded beneath the shield of faith? Do the gospel shoes of peace carry me into the sea of humanity inviting others to Come? Is the joy of my salvation plainly evident? Are the fruits of the Spirit produced by the way I live my life? 

    When others see me, I hope they get a picture of what Jesus looks like. 

Less Like Me

by Zach Williams 

Lord, help me be a little more like mercy,

A little more like grace,

A little more like kindness, goodness, love and faith;

A little more like patience,

A little more like peace,

A little more like Jesus

A little less like me.