Jesus in Disguise / 乔装的耶稣

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Dexu Xia

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Aug 26, 2019, 12:12:45 AM8/26/19

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Jesus in Disguise

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

My son Geoff recently participated in a “homeless simulation.” He spent three days and two nights living on the streets of his city, sleeping outside in below freezing temperatures. Without food, money, or shelter, he relied on the kindness of strangers for his basic needs. On one of those days his only food was a sandwich, bought by a man who heard him asking for stale bread at a fast-food restaurant.

Geoff told me later it was one of the hardest things he’d ever done, yet it profoundly impacted his outlook on others. He spent the day after his “simulation” seeking out homeless people who had been kind to him during his time on the street, doing what he could to assist them in simple ways. They were surprised to discover he wasn’t actually homeless and were grateful he cared enough to try to see life through their eyes.

My son’s experience calls to mind Jesus’s words: “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. . . . Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:36, 40). Whether we give a word of encouragement or a bag of groceries, God calls us to lovingly attend to the needs of others. Our kindness to others is kindness to Him.

Reflect & Pray

What little kindness can you extend to another? When have you been the recipient of another’s kindness?

Dear Jesus, help me to see You in the needs of others today and to love You by loving them.

乔装的耶稣

怜悯贫穷的，就是借给耶和华，他的善行，耶和华必偿还。-箴言19章17节

儿子杰夫最近参加一个“游民生活体验营”。他在自己的城市街头流浪了三天两夜，晚上睡在气温低于冰点的户外。没有食物、没有钱，也没有容身之所，必须仰赖别人的怜悯施舍，才能维持基本需求。其中一天，他一整天的食物就只有一个三明治，那是一位男士听见他在速食店讨过期面包时买给他的。

事后，杰夫告诉我，那次的体验可说是他做过最困难的事情，而且深深影响了他对人们的看法。体验活动结束后，他花一天的时间，去寻找他在街头流浪时，向他伸出援手的游民，并以他能力所及的方式帮助他们。对于杰夫并非真的无家可归，这些游民都十分惊讶，也很感谢杰夫因为关心而愿意亲身体验他们的生活。

儿子的经历让我想起耶稣说：“我赤身露体，你们给我穿；我病了，你们看顾我；我在监里，你们来看我。……这些事你们既做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上，就是做在我身上了”（马太福音25章36、40节）。无论是对人说一句鼓励的话，或给人一袋食物，上帝要我们以爱心关怀别人的需求。当我们善待他人的时候，就是爱上帝了。

主耶稣，请帮助我今日在他人的需求中看见祢，
让我藉着爱他们来表达对祢的爱。