Can Everyone See Jesus?

I remember being in awe of my aunt Mary’s nativity scene when I was young. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen! A wooden stable with straw on the roof and beautiful figurines, it drew me each and every time I was at her house. We had a manger scene at my house too, just not as awe-inspiring. I made myself a promise that when I was grown with a house of my own, I would have a nativity like my aunt’s.

I was able to keep my promise; a few years after Brooks and I got married I purchased a similar scene. I have displayed it in our home now nearly forty years. I look forward to arranging it each Christmas season. It also brings fond memories of Christmases past each time I glance at it.

It seems that my grandson is as intrigued in looking at it as I was my aunt’s. In fact, what he did the other day really made me second guess the current placement of the wise men and shepherd. As it is now, baby Jesus is with Mary and Joseph inside the manger while the shepherd boy and three kings look on from outside. Bryson rearranged the entire scene – he brought Jesus outside and made a circle of onlookers that completely encompassed the Babe. Mary and Joseph included!

The message was clear – we all need to be able to see Jesus! A message that was brought to me by a child has played over and over in my mind. I need to be sure people see Jesus….in me!

Look at Galatians 2:20 in which Paul says this, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in my body, I live by faith, indeed, by the faithfulness of God’s Son, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (CEB)

So, how do we live this life so that others see Jesus in us?

There are 10 things that we can do that will allow Jesus to shine in our lives. They are:

1. Love the Unlovely – John 15:12, “This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you.”

2. Freely Forgive – Colossians 3:13, “Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other.”

3. Show Joy – John 15:10-11, “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete.”

4. Show Grace – Micah 6:8, “He has told you, human one, what is good and what the LORD requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.”

5. Be Humble – James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

6. Maintain Self-Control - James 1:19-20, “Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry. This is because an angry person doesn’t produce God’s righteousness.”

7. Watch Your Words – Ephesians 4:29 “Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say.”

8. Be Holy – Psalm 27:14, “Hope in the LORD! Be strong! Let your heart take courage! Hope in the LORD!”

9. Don’t Worry – Philippians 4:8-9, “From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you.”

10. Be Zealous for God’s Glory – Deuteronomy 6:5 “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.”

I am going to move baby Jesus back to the place where everyone at my manger scene can clearly see Him. Will do you do the same for the remaining days until Christmas? It has made me more aware of what others see.

In closing remember this statement:

Jesus was adamant about protecting the holiness, integrity, and glory of God. When you do that, too, people will see a side of Jesus in you that they hadn’t seen before.

*All scripture is from the Common English Bible