Wednesday the 16th

John 7:24

 

²⁴Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

 

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Many people could not see Jesus for what He really was, even with all of the signs, all of the teachings, many refused to see the truth. Looks can be deceiving, and when people looked at Christ, they did not see the image that they expected to see in a Savior. Imagine if you will a man living in the wilderness speaking out about a man that was coming to save the world. The people were waiting for a savior, a hero, someone to ride in and save the day. Imagine their surprise when the man that is pointed out, is not rich, he is not well dressed, as a matter of fact he looks pretty much like any other guy from that time. They were expecting a miraculous event to bring a man, what they got was a uncommon common man who brought miraculous event to them. He is still doing that today you know……but so many of us have fallen back into the mind set of looking for thunder and lightening to announce that the Lord is among us. With Christmas right around the corner we are once again reminded that the Lord snuck into the world. In a quiet manger, surrounded by common folks, a few wise men, and the angels. By all appearances it was not the birth of a savior….. at least not what the world expected. In much of the same respect that is how he comes to us today. How often do we make judgments by mere appearances? How many times have we missed the help of our savior because the person offering was not the person we expected? How often do we pass up the opportunity to act on behalf of Christ because we don’t think that the people in need look like they “deserve” it? Appearances can be deceptive, and if Christ was not what the natural world expected back then, why would we think it would be any different today? Stop judging by mere appearances, look to the same place that God looks…..the heart. Don’t get caught up in the status of those around you, look to the substance. It is not the clothes that show a persons worth, it is their willingness to give the shirt off their back for their brother. Be on the look out for Christ this Christmas, you might be surprised where all you see Him…….when you quit judging by appearances.

 

Glory to God in the Highest,

Brian