Nested in Christ

Matthew 12:33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

One of my favorite childhood stories is that of the “Ugly Duckling”. Victim of an egg-rolling mishap, he ends up hatched with ducks instead of swans. His duck family has little appreciation for his elongated neck and ivory feathers. The ugly duckling hunts for a creature like him.

He encounters a number of animals but each possesses different attributes than the graceful lines of a swan. Tired and ready to surrender, he swims around one last bend to see a family of birds glide across the water. They notice the ugly duckling and immediately recognize his features as their own lost cygnet.

Today I am studying Mark 6. In this chapter, Jesus travels to a number of locations. In his hometown, unbelief yields a lack of ministry. In the countryside, He feeds 5,000 men plus their wives and children with just five loaves of bread and two fish. On the Galilean Sea, He walks on water. The last stop is Gennesaret.

As soon as His boat strikes shore, the people of this region recognized Jesus. This is remarkable. There were no newspapers or cameras. The few artists were dedicated to crafting likenesses of the aristocracy not a common carpenter.

How I wonder was Jesus described in such a way that on word of mouth alone people identified Him?

Was it His eyes that pierced beyond the surface?

Was it His smile that radiated from His face?

Was it His posture that mixed humility with purpose?

Repeatedly Jesus referred to those who followed Him as His family. Jesus was distinguished without one formal picture ever taken. Do I bear a family resemblance?

Do my eyes see the needs of others?

Are my hands quick to lend aid?

Is my countenance a reflection of my kin?

Jesus, I want others to see You when they see me. I don’t want to be a roll-away egg that hatches qualities unrecognizable as Your own. Tuck me in Your nest. Speak gently to my heart. Mold me into Your undeniable offspring.