A couple of years ago I read a story that has taken on great metaphorical significance for me. The setting is Christmas Eve in Chicago in the 1920s, before the stock market crash. Two businessmen are rushing to catch the 6:00 PM commuter train for home. On the train platform a young handicapped boy is selling papers and other goods he can pick up and resell for a bargain at a small stand.
The first man emerges on the platform. He runs into the boy, knocking him and his stand over. Hurling a few choice curse words at the boy, the man continues on to catch his train.
A few seconds later the second man emerges on the platform. He sees the boy and his stand knocked down. He immediately helps the boy up and tries to gather up some of his goods.
The man reaches in his billfold and pulls out a five-dollar bill. He gives it to the boy, saying he hopes it will help cover part of the boy’s losses. Wishing the boy a “Merry Christmas,” he turns to catch his train. The boy yells after him, “Say, Mister, are you Jesus Christ?” Red-faced and embarrassed, the man answers, “No, but I try to be like Him”.
Both men are made in the image of God, but only one man is living in the likeness of Jesus Christ. It is not enough as a Christian to claim being made in our Creator’s image; we are called to be conformed to the likeness of Christ.
This is an excerpt from the book Climbing the Sycamore Tree by Ann Hagmann.
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