SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN: “Can People See Jesus In You”

*DAILY BREAD: A DEVOTIONAL FOR THE CHILDREN*

Eastern Nigeria Union Conference Children’s Ministries Department

*THEME: I WILL GO*

Sunday, October 3, 2021

Topic: Can people see Jesus in you?

_You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put the light on a lamp-stand. Then the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do. Live so that they will praise your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:14-16_

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night’s dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen accidentally kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding. All But One!

He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain he was taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did.

The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, “Here, please take this money for the damage we did. Are you okay?” She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, “I hope we didn’t spoil your day too badly.” As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, “Mister…” He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued… “Are you Jesus?”
He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul:
“Are you Jesus?” Do people mistake you for Jesus? Do people mistake us for Jesus? .To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace is our destination – all that we ought to work towards.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting scripture and going to church. It’s actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.

You are the apple of His eye even though you, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for your damaged fruit.

My challenge to you is “live like you are worth the price He paid!” Remember, When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.”

Song
To be like Jesus
To be like Jesus
All I want to be like Him
All through life’s journey
From earth to glory
All I ask to be like Him.

To be like Jesus
To be like Jesus
All I want to be like Him
Not in a measure
But in His fullness
All I ask to be like Him.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Help me to be like you, living a life of love,. loving other people just as You, Lord loved us and gave yourself for us— a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God. Help me to be your ambassador in Jesus name, Amen.