Some friends often go sing at a nursing home. A few days ago, I got to join them and I’m positive I saw Jesus – I’m just not sure where.
Was He in the old lady slumped in her wheelchair or was He in the aging man by her side, caring for his mother with gentle kindness? Was He in the man with no legs who asked that we sing “Sweet Hour of Prayer” or was He in the teenage boy who tenderly led the song? Was He in the four children from the same family who spread joy to the elderly or was He in their parents who have made it a practice to show compassion to those who are often forgotten? Was He in the bed-confined gentleman near the end of his life or was He in the nurse who was trying to make his final days more comfortable?
Jesus said we serve Him when we serve the least of His brethren. It is not hard to imagine the joy the Lord receives when we serve others. If someone goes to visit my elderly grandmother, I am so grateful. If someone is kind to my parents, I want to return the kindness. And if someone goes out of his way to help my children, he’ll be a friend forever. When we serve any person, we are serving one that God loves more than we can imagine. It brings God joy when we love someone He loves. And when I see my great weakness in loving others, Jesus reminds me that as I live in Him, He lives in me – and He is love.
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” (John 15:4)
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” (I John 4:16)