I’m sure you’ve all seen or heard of the TV Series called “Undercover Boss” which has been franchised in many countries.
The idea is that a Chief Executive Officer, or senior manager, of a large organisation visits various outlets of their own company in disguise to find out how things really work at the customer end of the business. They pretend to be working there, but all the time they are studying how their employees work and reward the good ones, or re-direct the not so good onto the right path.
It’s a great programme, because senior managers find out how their policies developed at boardroom level are implemented by their employees, and how this affects the whole running of the organisation. Usually, senior managers and CEOs meet really hard-working and devoted staff, whom they reward afterwards when they meet them again in the boardroom and they identify themselves. Sometimes, they meet employees who fail to meet the grade.
Imagine … that Jesus came into our lives in disguise. He would not be wearing the long robe we associate with Him as we see in the movies. Or have long hair and a beard. Or a kind smile.
He would probably look like a beggar starving in the street and asking us for some money.
Or a sick person in hospital with no one to visit him.
Or an elderly person living alone and no longer able to do simple tasks like cooking for themselves, going out shopping, or cleaning the house. Or someone just wanting company and another voice to hear in the house and to talk to, instead of having the TV or radio always on just for company.
There are so many other disguises Jesus could use in our lives. Like the new inexperienced employee at work not sure what to do and how to get on.
Or the quiet wallflower at a party sitting silently in the corner not speaking with anyone nor mixing with any body.
There are so many disguises He could use.
And when He takes off his disguise and we see Him as He truly is … what would He say gently and calmly to us?
“Thank you for being so kind to me and for reading to me whilst I was sick in hospital.”
“I am so grateful that you found the time to visit me at home and help me with the cooking. Or just chatting with me for a while. I so looked forwards to our little chats. Sometimes, when I am alone and don’t speak to anyone for hours on end my throat dries up and I have to cough to clear the dryness. I often speak to the people on the radio just to hear the sound of my own voice. Your visits were the only company I ever had!”
Or will Jesus say to us …
“Why did you ignore me when I was freezing in the cold sitting on the wet ground in the street?”
“Depart from Me … For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.” Matthew 25:41-43.