Being Jesus to Others
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
John 20:21
Lee Strobel writes of a woman named Maggie who began to attend his church. For a long time she sat in the back, fearful of being exposed, ashamed of her lifestyle, yet strangely drawn to the place.
After coming for a few weeks, Maggie took the risk to join a small group. There, little by little she began to share her struggles and ask her questions. “Can God be a real part of my life? Does He care about the wounds I have? Can I ever be a whole and healthy person?”
After several months, Maggie wrote to Lee about her experience. “I don’t understand the caring I’ve received. I don’t understand that the leaders don’t seem to be afraid of my questions. Those in the group aren’t afraid to share their struggles with me, and I’m wondering if perhaps I can share mine with them.”
And then she ended her letter with this beautiful poem. And as you read it, I want you to imagine that Maggie is speaking directly to you – right here, right now.
Do you know
do you understand
that you represent
Jesus to me?
Do you know
do you understand
that when you treat me with gentleness,
it raises the question in my mind
that maybe He is gentle, too?
Do you know
do you understand
that when you listen to my questions
and you don’t laugh,
I think, “What if Jesus is interested in me, too?”
Do you know
do you understand
that when I hear you talk about arguments
and conflict and scars from your past,
I think, “Maybe I am just a regular person
instead of a bad, no-good little girl
who deserves abuse?”
If you care,
I think maybe He cares –
and then there’s this flame of hope
that burns inside of me
and for a while
I am afraid to breathe
because it might go out.
Do you know
do you understand that your words are His words?
Your face, His face
to someone like me?
Please, be who you say you are.
Please, God, don’t let this be another trick.
Please let this be real.
Please.
Do you know
do you understand
that you represent
Jesus to me?
Strobel writes that he found Maggie’s words so powerful that he called her one evening to ask her permission to use that letter in one of his talks.
“Oh, Lee,” she said, “haven’t you heard?”
His heart sank. What had happened? Had she encountered someone who had criticized her presence or unnecessarily condemned her lifestyle?
“No,” he said. “I haven’t heard. Tell me what happened.”
“A few nights ago I gave my life to Christ.”
“Maggie,” he said, “that’s terrific! Tell me – what piece of evidence convinced you that the Bible is true? What fact did you uncover that finally established for you that the resurrection is real?”
“Lee,” she said, “it wasn’t like that. I just met a bunch of people who were like Jesus to me. That’s all it took.”
Who is Your Maggie?
At this unique point in history, more and more Jesus followers are discovering that small groups are a wonderful place in which to do life, share struggles, and celebrate breakthroughs.
Interestingly this need is shared by those who haven’t yet come to follow Jesus. And, if invited, they might well accept the offer.
The question is, “What will they experience in the group?” Like Maggie, they come with more questions than answers and more brokenness than wholeness.
Yet, if we simply love them in the midst of their messiness…if we allow for them to be in process…we might well become Jesus to them. And, as a result, they might well give their hearts to Him.
If we simply love people in the midst of their messiness…if we allow for them to be in process…we might well become Jesus to them. And, as a result, they might well give their hearts to Him.
PRAYER
Lord, I remember what it was like to be a “Maggie.” Thank you for patiently drawing me to yourself. Thank you for accepting me notwithstanding my messiness at the time. Thank you for the difference you’ve made in my life.
Help me to do the same for the “Maggies” that I meet. Help me to be Jesus to them.
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