They Looked But Did Not See

April 18, 2021
 
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
 
I came to church one day.  Unclean, unshaven, my hair unkept, I was a sight for sore eyes.  Dirty clothes and those that weren’t dirty were torn and ragged.  They were the best I had.
 
Some I met looked down, as if to pretend not to see.  They walked on by not knowing what to think of me.  They made me feel out of place---all alone, lonely.
 
I sat in the back.  It was here I thought I would receive the least number of stares.  You see, no one was dressed like me.  Polished shoes and looking fine, a different class did they belong.
 
The preacher began to preach about the poor and hungry.  For a moment, I felt I just might fit in.  Then that quick, he said, “Amen.”  The people marched out as if in a band.  Eyes straight ahead, no one extending a hand.
 
Now all alone with no one but me.  I looked at all the empty pews in front of me.  A minute ago, the people sang hymns of old, professing to be Christians, loving and bold.  They said they would love the unlovable, the homeless, broken and worn.  You know, people like me.  The music stopped and no one even knew I had sung right along.
 
My heart began to hurt.  You see, it is for all these I had come.  They looked but did not see.  They heard but did not hear.  They sang but their words were empty. I loved them so.  You know, I’m Jesus sitting here in the back row.
 
Who is sitting next to you?  Think about it…….
 
 
In the Love of Christ,
Pastor Allan
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