“Everyone, therefore, who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven, but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”

— Matthew 10:32-33

When I read these verses growing up, I had the impression that one day I would stand before some sort of tribunal and be asked to confess that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I have some idea where that notion came from, but as an adult (or at least adult-ish), I find the whole idea a little ridiculous. How absurd!

If I am ever put on trial for being a Christian, I hope my life offers more than enough evidence to convict me before I ever walk into a courtroom.

There is, however, a much more likely scenario. Almost every day I am given the opportunity to acknowledge Jesus in my neighbors. Almost every day I have the chance to see Christ in my church members, in my community, and in my friends and family. Every day I am given the opportunity to acknowledge the humanity and dignity of other people: the man holding a sign on the street corner, the person calling for rent assistance, the stranger standing in line at the grocery store, and so many more.

Lately, I have taken on a new job. Our Wesley Nurse hosts a free medical clinic in our church building twice each month. We provide actual medical care for uninsured people in our community. As part of the work connected to a grant we received this year, I spend about an hour interviewing patients while they wait to see one of the doctors.

I created a short asset based community mapping tool that asks only eight questions. I get to ask things like: What is something you enjoy doing? What do people who know you well say you are good at? What is something you care about deeply?

Y’all, I am awkward and weird with new people every day of the week. But I am having the time of my life asking these questions. You should see the thoughtful looks I get. You should see the smiles. You should hear the stories.

So often people are defined by what they lack, what they need, or what has gone wrong in their lives. For a few minutes, I get to ask about what is beautiful, gifted, and life giving. I get to acknowledge the image of God in a person I met only moments before.

Every month I am given the opportunity to acknowledge the Jesus in complete strangers, and I love it.

Beloved, I pray you find new ways to help people recognize Jesus in themselves and in one another. I pray God gives you the joy of helping others discover how deeply loved they are.