Jesus--Out On the Streets of Uptown As I was walking home from work one evening, I was struck anew by a not-so-novel revelation. If Jesus were alive today and in the flesh, he'd be out here on the streets of Uptown. He'd be out mingling with the alcoholics, the homeless, the day-laborers, the prostitutes, the gang kids, and the mentally-ill. Now you see what I mean when I said that this observation was not so earth-shattering. Jesus has been shown to be a lover of the lower-class and underprivileged not only in the Bible, but in so many books and teachings. Jesus truly is the friend and advocate of the down and out. This is certainly not a new concept. But a fresh insight dawned on me regarding a few of the reasons Jesus would be out on the streets of Uptown.

First and foremost is the fact that he really cares about all these people that nobody else cares about. He really cares about all these "losers" in the 21st century, just like he showed his care and concern for the losers of his day. Second, I believe that Jesus would be out on the streets of Uptown because that is where he would be living as well. He'd be living on their level, and he'd be experiencing how it is to be poor in our society. The only significant difference between Jesus and the "losers" of Uptown would be the way he would be demonstrating how God desires us to live in the midst of a harsh and unjust world. And I'm sure he'd be showing each person so much love and compassion that he'd be turning a few heads. People would see and feel that he cared. I guess that's why I'm glad I can walk home on the streets of Uptown.

Maybe, just maybe, I can share a little of the love and compassion that Jesus has shown me.