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“Anything Will Help”

Written by Pastor Eric Everhart

Last week I had to travel downtown to an appointment at the hospital. As I was coming off the interstate my eyes were drawn to the side of the road. There, holding a sign that read “anything will help,” was a middle aged man in a heavy trench coat and a beanie hat. As I came down the off ramp I quickly focused on the traffic light, “please stay green, please stay green!” We have all been there, avoiding the gaze of a person on the side of the street asking for money or food. The closer I got to the intersection the more anxious I got, “stay green please!” Then the thoughts kicked in. 

“He’s a scam artist.” 

“Get a job.” 

“He probably makes more than I do–tax free.” 

And of course, “He’s probably a drug addict or an alcoholic.” 

Hurry, hurry, let’s get through this light! Yip….I know most of you can relate. Of course the light turned red just as I pulled up to the intersection. 

“If I avoid eye contact or pretend to look at my phone, if he thinks I don’t see him, maybe he’ll go away.” 

“I don’t have anything to give him, this is awkward.” 

“It’s not my fault or responsibility and besides, if I give him money he will just use it for drugs or alcohol.” 

“I’m running late and don’t have time for this.” 

It’s actually amazing how stressful that two minutes can be waiting for the light to turn green. It’s even more amazing the number of excuses and judgmental thoughts we can come up with from the top of the off-ramp until we get through the light. Have you been there?

Later that day, back at the church, I was reading through Matthew 25 and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Jesus is telling the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, talking about judgement. In verses 41-43, Jesus proclaims that when he was hungry, thirsty, a prisoner, unclothed, and a stranger, nobody cared for him. Then the people asked Jesus this in verse 44, “Lord, when did we SEE you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothing or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” That’s the whole point, you didn’t SEE him! It wasn’t just about not stopping and helping the man holding the sign, giving him food or money or even the time of day, I refused to SEE him! In fact I did everything I could not to see him, to pretend he wasn’t even there, even wish him away! Tears ran down my face as my heart was convicted with something greater than not giving someone a few dollars…not giving my heart! Lord forgive me!! 

I do believe that this parable speaks to us about helping and providing others with earthly needs, physical things, when we can and are able. But, I think it’s even deeper than that! I believe Jesus is also telling us to SEE those in the fray, to recognize them, to say I SEE YOU, you matter, and I wont turn away to hide from you! To be clothed in Christ so that my heart hurts for you, to have compassion on those who make us uncomfortable, to be kind-hearted in a moment of uneasiness, and to have a heart of love for our neighbor. If we are not clothed in the garments that Pastor Dan and Pastor Tim have preached on for so many weeks……we will not SEE our neighbor, we will not SEE Jesus. 

Jesus spent his whole ministry seeing people, meeting them right where they were at! He was never too busy to heal, to speak truth, to build up and it was never awkward for him to show compassion, to be kind, or even just to say I SEE YOU…YOU MATTER! 

I remember the day when Jesus met me in the deserts of Iraq. I was broken, at the end of my rope, ready to die, sinful to the core, dirty and holding a sign that read, “anything will help!” On that day, Jesus didn’t give me food or clothing, instead my Heavenly Father said, “I SEE you my son and I love you.” I had been seen for the first time in my life, by my true Father and it would forever change my life.

How much more could God use you to change a life, if we would only be willing to say to our neighbor, “I SEE you!” 

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN JESUS SAW YOU AND DIDN’T TURN AWAY? SEE THE WORLD AS JESUS SEES YOU!  

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 

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