Loving Others – Seeing Jesus

During these weeks following Easter, I continue to ask the questions:

Have you seen Jesus?

How do you see Jesus?

Where have you seen Jesus?

What does it mean, to you, to see Jesus?

I hope you’ve been giving this topic some thought. In some ways, the question or topic can seem large, mystical, or even confusing. What would it mean to see someone who lived on the earth 2000 years ago, died, and went into heaven? From a different perspective, the question can be ordinary, or even mundane. Our faith teaches us that all humans are created in the image of God. When we see other people (or even look in the mirror), we encounter the image of God.

In the scripture passage for the message this coming Sunday, Jesus gives his friends and followers a “new commandment.” Jesus instructs his disciples to love one another:

“Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” —John 13:34-35

Followers of Jesus can be identified by the ways they show kindness, regard, and love for other humans. These are everyday actions and simple gestures…but God’s Word explains that they reveal a cosmic reality. Christ is present in each person and demonstrating love, care, and acceptance for others is literally “seeing Jesus.”

A baby laughing.

A good deed, done to help a neighbor.

The simple interaction of greeting a stranger.

These are all within the scope of our daily and weekly experiences. I’m not asking you to act any differently, but simply to be alert to the activity and presence of Christ around you. In what ways do you SEE Jesus? In what ways do you make Jesus visible to others? How can we illuminate the presence of God in the world in ways that are compelling and attractive? This is the type of new vision that the resurrection offers us.

May we open our eyes to the reality of Christ’s presence already around us.                

Very truly,

Pastor Adam