As people filed by the casket (it was closed but my sister didn't feel up to standing in the foyer to talk to people afterwards) I saw that there were a lot of homely people. People society might call rejects. There were poor people; t-shirts were the best attire they had. There were some who didn't speak English. People of different races and colors. There was a very large man, a friend of his from high school, who could barely walk because of his weight. These were people John was kind to, people he had hired to help him complete jobs, people he gave his time to - he didn't consider himself better than them. It totally made sense with all the memories that the minister read about him.
He was a living example of this scripture:
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16
As I reflected on this, it occurred to me how much he was like Jesus in that way. Jesus was a friend to the outcasts. Jesus noticed people that others overlooked. Jesus helped the helpless. Every single one of us is placed on this earth for a reason. We all come in contact with the world in various ways. John had the opportunity to touch people by helping them fix their cars or houses, loaning out tools, hiring others for asphalt jobs, and sometimes just going out for a movie and a burger.
It was a sweet sight.
1 comment:
It seemed like he was surely a friend to all....just like Jesus!
Post a Comment