The difference

Day four continued

We visited the Pool of Bethseda, which is near the Sheep’s gate. This pool is associated with healing as it is the place where those who were lame, blind, paralyzed would come and lay on the porches. Jesus healed a man who had been sick for 32 years.

One of the things I realized when visiting the different places Jesus once healed people and taught to multitudes of crowd, is that He was always around those in need. You never saw him around the most popular and famous citizens, the high priests, the scribes and those in power or authority. He was drawn to those who were suffering and in need. The most despised and lonely people in society. But how many times do we only want to surround ourselves with people who are well known. The popular crowds at school, college, work or even in the church. The well-known people who just by you standing with them, can make your name known to others. It is good to be around influential and inspiring people, providing it is for the right reasons, which is to learn from them. But to only associate yourself with such people to make a name for yourself and to look cool is wrong. And let’s be honest, you will never fit in because you’re not like them anyway. The novelty will soon wear off.
I have more pleasure being around those I can help and make a difference in their lives, then those who I cannot. It is not because I pity them, but because I can learn a lot from them and also learn a lot about myself. I was once an outcast, who was not very approachable or liked but those who dared to reach out to me and help me despite my stubbornness and lack of self-esteem, I will never forget.

When we despise those who are not as approachable, eye catching or well known, we are doing the opposite of what Jesus did here on earth. We therefore cannot call ourselves true Christians because we are not acting like Christ.
The prostitutes, drug dealers and addicts, the most irritating person, the one with mental health problems, the adulterer and the trouble makers, are the ones we need to reach out to. God is counting on us to help them.

Jesus Himself said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” – Mark 2:17