What does Jesus look like?
01 Nov 2011 5 Comments
in Culture, faith, God, Life Tags: community, Halloween alternative, outreach
Have you ever wondered what Jesus looks like? Contrary to all the pictures we may have seen of Him, I think we’ll be surprised when we come face to face with Him one day. But until that day comes, Jesus has already given us a glimpse of what He looks like here on earth. How do I know that? Because I saw Him last night.
Last night, our church held our first annual Harvest Fest at North Elementary in Opelousas. North Elementary is an under privileged school that we’ve adopted, to give them what many of them don’t have….HOPE and LOVE. (For the background of our involvement at North Elementary, read one of my previous blogs titled “Find the ONE”) Not completely sure what kind of turn-out to expect, our team came ready to serve our community with the love of God. Well, by night’s end, over 1400 people had come through the gates of the school!!
After getting home last night, I had such an overwhelming sense of the smile of God, over us as a church and over our community. Countless people had genuinely thanked us throughout the evening, totally blown away by our love and compassion for the city of Opelousas. A community that has longed sensed the sting of poverty and racism, had now felt the love and hope that only Jesus can bring. I felt as if my heart was going to burst!! And I could only imagine how the heart of God must have felt.
Jesus tells a story in Matthew 26 about feeding, clothing, and welcoming the poor, lonely and hopeless. He goes on to say that “whenever you do one of these things to someone who is overlooked or ignored, that was Me….YOU DID IT TO ME.”
So last night, we saw Jesus. This is what He looked like:
*A frail, elderly grandmother trying to keep up with all of her grandchildren….that was Jesus.
*A young, teen-age mother, carrying her newborn baby, while her other children ran around like it was Christmas morning….that was Jesus.
**Young girls who were pregnant, barely more than a child themselves….that was Jesus.
**Many, many children who said they’d never owned a bicycle (and some who walked away with their very first one!)….that was Jesus.
**Teenage young men who just came to check out what we were doing, but left having felt valued because other men took the time to talk with them and take an interest in their lives…..that was Jesus.
**Single moms, who’s very expressions on their faces, said “Thank you!! I needed this help!”….that was Jesus.
**Teachers and faculty of North Elementary, who very seldom feel the appreciation that is due to them, walking away overwhelmed at the love of God through His people….that was Jesus.
**Infant babies, dressed up as everything from witches, to lions, to princesses, to even a precious little lamb…..that was Jesus.
**Mothers & fathers, aunties & uncles, cousins & neighbors, brothers & sisters….who simply was looking for a fun evening with their families, not having to worry about their safety or security…..that was Jesus.
**And finally, countless volunteers, staff, cooks, students and police officers who took the day off from work, to serve this wonderful school and community…..they represented Jesus.
I’ve been in ministry a long time. You would think events like this would become the “norm” of what we do. But it’s not. There’s nothing “normal” about it. It’s the supernatural, tangible love and goodness of God that draws men, women, children, aunties, uncles and grandmothers (and even pastors and leaders 
) to Him.
I know it’s supernatural….because I sensed Him.
I know it’s tangible…because I felt Him.
I know what Jesus looks like….because I saw Him….last night.
