Is that You, Jesus?

When I see a man of woe
lying in the valley of despair,
If I would stop
to offer him a helping hand,
and look into those lonely eyes . . .
Would I recognize the Savior there?

Lord Jesus, You said "Whenever
you clothe a man in need,
visit one imprisoned,
help the sick in word or deed,
offer refuge to the homeless . . .
I am the one who feels your love;
I am the hungry one you feed."

Are you the one I passed today
upon my busy way,
as I hurried to accomplish daily tasks?
Are you the one whose plight I scorned,
the mother whose poor children
wore clothing stained and torn?
Are you the one?

Is that you . . . in a barren prison cell,
knowing your own choices
have brought you to this wretched place?
How long till one will care enough
to leave his comfort zone
and share with you
God's love and his forgiving grace?

Oh, let me be the one
who stops, who takes the time
to soothe a needy soul.
By God's own grace, I will attend
the needs of those who cry for help . . .
With a heart of compassion,
the wounded and the weary I will mend . . .

For they are You, Jesus!

I love the inspiration to serve others with compassion that is recorded in the New Testament. . . .

  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
from Matthew 25, NIV