Have you ever dressed up in a costume to pretend you were someone else? Children sometimes like to do this, using old clothes from their mothers or fathers or even grandparents. But sometimes famous people do this to escape from photographers and newsmen. Some wear glasses and a fake nose to change their appearance completely. Some wear a wig with a different hair style and color from their own.
When he was still alive, it was well-known that King Hussein of Jordan often disguised himself for a good cause. He would mix with the people on the streets or at workplaces to find out how people felt or how they were being treated.
Let us suppose we overhear two men talking. The first man says, “Is that a new employee over there? I haven’t seen him here before.”
The second man answers, “I have been watching him, and I believe that is King Hussein!”
“Nonsense!” replies the first man. “That doesn’t look like King Hussein! That man is dressed just like us.”
“But look closely,” replies the second man. “He is the same height; he walks like the King; his voice sounds like the King’s, and look at his hands . . . I know it is the King. He is in disguise.”
One man looked closely and recognized King Hussein while the other did not. The Bible tells us that “Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God . . . took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:57). Jesus did not come in a disguise, so people would not know who He was. He came to earth as a man for a wonderful cause - so that He could save people from their sins. He took part in the normal activities of life, but He was not recognized by many people even when they were told who He was and saw Him perform miracles. They said, “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” and did not look closer. But there were some who knew who He really was.
When Jesus asked the disciples, “Whom do men say that I am?” (Mark 8:27), Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Another time Peter said, “We believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). Peter had spent enough time with Jesus to recognize that He measured up to all that the prophets had foretold of the coming Saviour. Jesus’ walk and ways were perfect; His words were amazing and true, so that even the Roman soldiers said, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). After His resurrection, Thomas doubted who He was until he saw Jesus’ hands with the wounds from the nails. Then Thomas could only exclaim, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).
One day soon, every knee will bow to Jesus, but only those who believe who He really is and accept Him now as their Lord and Saviour will be in heaven to see Him in all His majesty and glory. Do you recognize Jesus for who He really is - the eternal Son of God, the Saviour of sinners? It will make the difference between eternal life and eternal death for you.
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).
ML-02/20/2005