JESUS WITH SKIN ON

And the King shall answer and say
unto them, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these my brethren,
ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:40

As usual, Jesus found Himself caught up in a conversation of “what if's” the good or bad folks wanted to get into with Him. He taught that if people failed to serve those in need, they could find themselves facing the worst of circumstances. However, for those who chose to serve the needy, He presented the questioners with a very provocative thought that we find in the above verse.

We had company a few months ago...our daughter Bev, JJ and Madelyn. Madelyn has to be one of the most polite and thoughtful ten year old girls I have come across. She and I talked briefly a few times about ways we treat people and its importance because everything we do for others, we are doing for Jesus. I told her I have often told ladies that we Christians are called to be “Jesus with skin on.” Jesus is in Heaven and can't be here in bodily form, face to face. As my pastor said one evening, we are called to be Jesus' feet and hands in serving others. Our conversations in this brief time were precious moments for me.

At a busy restaurant, Madelyn and I were waiting just inside the front door for her mother to come with the car. It was a bit of a brisk day and Madelyn had left her jacket in the car. It was getting even more chilly with patrons coming in and out of the door. Suddenly, Madelyn saw an older lady approaching using her walker. Without prompting, Madelyn went to open the door for the lady, causing her to stand outside where it was even colder. The lady expressed her gratitude that a young girl would be so kind. Madelyn stepped back inside the door and I quietly muttered...”Jesus with skin on.” She looked at me and smiled.

Even with a few weeks removed from Christmas, we can't forget that a baby was born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. He didn't come wrapped in fancy paper. That precious baby was literally God with skin on, coming to us in flesh. As He grew into manhood, He did far more for many more than any other human being on earth could possibly have done. Jesus came, preaching, teaching, healing, feeding, blessing, loving, rescuing, correcting, and personally dying for all mankind, none of whom deserved a single ounce of His love, salvation or consideration. Despite who mankind was or would be, we read:

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt
among us, and we saw His glory, glory
as of the only begotten from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John 1:14

Jesus was God with skin on...a fact we base our very salvation on. Because He came, we live and move and have our very being in God our Father.

As Jesus returned to Heaven, we should feel a responsibility doing for Him, not for self, but for Him toward people who need us in big ways and often in the smallest of ways. What seems small to us, might be huge in the life of another. It might mean a ten year old girl opening a door for a lady with a walker, that is a large act of kindness while the girl may not feel it to be much. Being Jesus with skin on isn't just for the month of December. There are people we know and don't know who may need an act of kindness, a smile, or a congenial greeting.

One of the first things that happened to us when first visiting our present church was that a member of the church walked up to us with two bags of candy in his hands. We didn't know Charles from Adam. We soon saw that Charles makes contact with most folks in the auditorium, going from person to person prior to a service. Everyone is greeted with a smile and a choice of candy to suck on. Charles is such a refreshing person, doing something unique, but functioning in kind ways as Jesus' hands and feet. Anyone can do some little something to extend kindness and cheer as from the Lord.

What a privilege is ours stepping in to minister in the lives of others on behalf of our Savior. He is the One who will lead and direct us in this process. We are living in a depraved culture where folks need us extending our hands for Jesus that may say more than our words can. We should always be looking to minister to others, giving God all the glory for what He does through us. May we find our personal joy in Him while knowing the joy of thinking of others above ourselves...just as Jesus would have us serve.

Thank You Father for sending Jesus to do all He did/does for us. It's such a privilege of being a part of Your family...sensing Your love, care and forever relationship. May we take eyes off of ourselves and be more aware of folks around us who need Your touch, a touch that may come from You to and through us. Thank You for using us for Your kingdom. In Jesus' precious name...Amen