If They only knew Him!

She is your friend and you wish very much she would be accepted in your circle of friends. But it is not to be. For reasons you do not quite understand she has been rejected. You think “If they only knew her” they would recognize in her the same wonderful qualities that you have come to know. You are convinced she would be a positive addition to a group that frankly could use some new attitude.
Try as you might to bring her in, she continues to be excluded from group activities. Frustrated with their behavior you finally ask “why“, only to be told, “She just doesn’t fit in”.
You wonder how they were able to reach such a conclusion having never given her a chance. You understand like-minded people form cliques, and there are unspoken rules which determine who is allowed in, preferring to socialize with those having their same social-economic, political or religious backgrounds, to name a few. This is their comfort zone and they do not wish to be put into social situations where they are made to feel uncomfortable.
After much thought you, decide to approach them and tell them, you feel they are being unreasonable in the exclusion of your friend. But are you prepared to live with the results, possible your own exclusion? You remember the motto you have always told your children “pick your battles carefully”. Are you heeding these words?
What if your friend were Jesus? Do you think, “If they only knew him”? Scripture tells us, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53: 3. That verse alone tells me He would not be an easy sell in most circles.
So how would I present my case for Jesus?
I can share with them his birth, who his father is, his miracles, his parables, his death, his ascension. I can tell them of His love for us and that he died to make us free. That He took upon himself our sins that day He hung on the cross. An alarm goes off, in my head, reminding me I am living in the century and events that happened two thousand years ago will be a hard sell. Isaiah prophesied on the reaction to the coming of the Messiah…”yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.” Isaiah 53:4. Not much has changed since Isaiah’s time.
We are the doubting Thomas in today’s world. We demand concrete evidence, that which we can see with our own eyes. I would need a witness, I lament. Where can I find a witness? And then I realize I am the witness. I am the one person who can testify on Jesus’ behalf to my friends. My personal testimony is my most powerful weapon. I have personally experienced the changes He has made in my life. I am the concrete evidence needed, no circumstantial evidence in my case. I hope at the very least they will open their hearts and minds to him. I pray I am a good witness and that He will be welcomed into my circle of friends.