When Did We See You?

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37 Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' 40 And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.' (Matthew 25:37-40)

As we enter a new year and look back on the year behind us, we can acknowledge that there were many opportunities to see and serve Jesus. Sometimes we jumped at those opportunities and other times we didn't notice him or chose to ignore him. In Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats, a king rewarded those who took notice of and took action to aid those who had need. They, however, had not realized that it was the king that they were actually serving when they showed kindness and mercy to others.

Sometimes the needs around us seem so daunting as to be insurmountable, but an ocean is filled with many drops of water. A ride to the store is everything to someone without transportation. A breakfast bar is everything to someone who is hungry. A conversation is everything to someone who feels alone. A smile or hug is everything to someone who feels invisible. An unconditional welcome is everything to someone who feels judged. Each of these things may seem small but every time we change someone's world for the better, we change the whole world for the better. In Jesus we've been given the gift of life, living water that never runs dry. Whatever we pour out will be replenished. Along with any resolutions we make to begin the new year, may we strive to be more vigilant in looking for Jesus - seeking him as diligently as the Magi sought the holy child. May we find him in every face and give back the grace he's so freely given to us.

11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (John 1:11-14,16)