I See Jesus by Michelle Wiebe-Santschi

I see Jesus all the time. I saw Him today. in the Bible. He was teaching and preaching. He was healing the sick and raising the dead. He was loving people and forgiving them of their sins. He was performing miracles. He was leading his followers into a new way of life. What did He look like? Like a little baby in a manger surrounded by barn animals. Like a shepherd leading a flock of sheep. Like a crazy person, speaking about things that cannot be seen or proven. Like a criminal, beaten and insulted, hanging on a cross. like an angel or God Himself, shining and pure, resurrected from the dead.

I see Jesus at church each Sunday. He's in the midst of us as we gather in His name. He's in the reason we gather as a community. He is the message that is preached and the words of Truth that are spoken. He's in the people with disabilities and the workers who bring them. He's in the laughter and the playfulness of the children who realize that church isn't just about sitting in a pew. He dances and sings with us as we praise Him with our songs. He has His hand of healing on those who are in need of comfort and freedom. He meets with people in the middle of their pain. He is in the joy of those who are going through good times and are excited about life. He speaks words of life and encouragement and promise to individuals who hear Him. And it turns out that Jesus isn't only found in the particular church congregation I am a part of. He's actually the biggest church-hopper and is a part of every congregation that invites Him.

I see Jesus in other places--seemingly unexpected places. For example, He hangs out in the same places I hang out in every day. He looks like my server at the coffee shop who goes beyond the call of duty to sincerely care about me and ask me how I am doing. He looks like my waiter at Denny's who takes the time to sit down at my table and talk with me. Another example is a new friend I made this year. At the time she was not yet a Christian. but as we talked, I realized that she thought and acted more like Jesus than a lot of Christians I knew. Jesus was in the way she lived. I passed by a homeless person on the street one day. He asked me if I had any money to give. I said that I didn't, which was a lie. I simply didn't feel like parting with the change in my wallet (I wanted to spend it on a drink later on at the coffee shop). As I walked back home I remembered the words of Jesus in Matthew 25. Whatever I do unto the least of these, I do unto Him. And whatever I don't do unto the least of these, I don't do unto Him. I wept as I realized I had passed Jesus by. I felt like the least-no, the worst-of these.

I see Jesus when I close my eyes. His Spirit is inside of me and He walks with me throughout each day. This is particularly exciting because I can talk to Him wherever I am and whenever I want. And He's there when I open my eyes and look at what and who is around me. He's in my friends and family, He's in nature. He's everywhere! I just pray that I will always be aware of His presence and not pass Him by. And I pray that everyone else will see Him, too.