I Met Jesus and He Likes Bacon Cheeseburgers

It's easy to help someone we like, trust or have something in common with.   However, how easy is it for us to help someone,  in which we have nothing in common.   Someone who could never pay us back or someone who you might otherwise think despicable.  Are you cable of doing that?  Can you reach down and truly display human compassion, kindness and love outside of your own sphere of influence?  Can you do it with out the covering of a non-profit, government agency or social cause?  Can you really help someone one to one?

Now don't misunderstand me, I'm not against causes, agencies or non-profits.  As a matter of fact, I support some of them on a consistent basis.  However, what I am talking about is getting your hands "dirty"  where the rubber meets the road.  Truly reaching out, shaking the hands of someone needing help, without immediately reaching for the hand sanitizer.  For one brief moment in time, loving someone whose life doesn't fit neatly into our world.  Well, I found myself there, one quiet and cold rainy night at a Braums.  A night which changed my perspective forever.

Scriptures say..."for I was an hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink".... "and verily I say unto you, In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."  And these words came alive to me on that night.

So the events unfolded almost a decade ago.  My wife, young daughter and I stopped into a Braums for a quick bite to eat.  As we exited the car and started to walk in, I noticed a shopping cart filled to the top, with miscellaneous stuff or what might be considered junk by most of us.  And as I entered the store, it wasn't hard to determine who the cart belonged to. He was sitting in a corner, by himself, clothes wet, dirty and tattered.  It seemed apparent that he had stopped in to escape the elements.

So my wife and I ordered our family meal and sat down to wait.  As we sat there, I took an opportunity to survey this individual's situation and it didn't appear he had eaten. I mean we were at Braums. So when our food was ready, I went up front to retrieve it and asked the employee if he had eaten, since coming into the store.  To which, she told me he had not since arriving and had only requested a cup of water.

Well it was then, that the aforementioned scripture came alive in my heart.  And for the very first time, I saw Jesus.  I was sitting in a Braums with Jesus!  Here he was a disheveled, hungry, homeless man.  With only his wet clothing and belongings in a shopping cart.  Well I went over to him, quietly sat down with him, introduced myself and inquired as to when had eaten last?  He answered me but I don't recall his answer about when he last ate.  I only recall that it was longer than most of us would be willing to wait.  So I asked him what would he would like to eat and ordered on his behalf.  And you know what, Jesus wanted a bacon cheese burger.

So there I was.  Meeting Jesus personally.  And this meeting left an undeniable impression upon my soul to this day.  It reminded me of my obligations as a follower of Christ.  That my possessions are not my own.  And since that first meeting with Him, I can say I've met Him countless times more.  With each encounter unique and fulfilling for me.  And on occasion, getting the opportunity to learn a little more about who Jesus is.  Additionally, my whole family has personally met with and spoken to Jesus as well.  My children have played games with Him, read to Him and covered His arm with artwork.  Over the last decade or so, my family has seen Jesus, in different shapes, ages, gender and ethnicity and all this, because I chose to stop at a Braums for dinner.  Where I ended up buying Jesus a bacon cheeseburger.

I encourage you to get your hands dirty and learn to become uncomfortable in helping people.  I'm not encouraging you to sell all your belongings,  move to a desolate country or hand out cash to people at freeway exits.  However what I'm encouraging each you to do is to find a way to serve without judgement.  Learn to live a life of charity, regardless of means.  But most importantly, stop looking beyond people but look into them.  See them how God sees them.  And maybe, just maybe, you can sit with Jesus and have a bacon cheeseburger as well.

Here is a video from a local ministry who does this very well.

Peace, Love & Chokes,

Will h.