What You See Is What You Get

Mark 5:25-34 (NKJV)
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,
26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.
28 For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"
31 But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"
32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

Have you ever picked out a book or magazine in which the content was nothing like the cover? According to the advertising companies, this isn’t supposed to happen. The outside is supposed to tell what is on the inside. There is a common cliché that best describes this problem, “You can’t always tell a book by its cover.”

This cliché can be applied to people, also. How they carry themselves may portray something that isn’t on the inside. It is true the only way to know someone is by looking on the inside. This is the only way someone can be really known and understood. However, the outside should represent what’s on the inside.

Unfortunately there can be a drastic difference between the outside verses the inside. For example, someone can say they really care about people’s needs, but when a need arises, they may not show their charity. In other words, what you see is not what you always get.

The greatest example of One who was true to others on the inside as well as the outside was Jesus Christ. When the woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus, He could have kept on walking through the mobs of people reaching for Him, but instead He stopped instantly and searched for the one in need who had the faith to touch Him.

How many times do we get caught up on being a part of the crowd and ignore the needs around us? Stopping and taking the time to look for those in need of; friendship, help, or even a smile would make such a difference in someone’s life. Just as Christ takes time to personally be there for us, no matter how small or big the need, we ought to be the same for others. What a way to show others Christ!

It is how we strive to be real Christians inside and out that can positively affect others in need. When they see the love and compassion we have for them, they will open up to a future miracle. So it is important for us to show them “what they see is what they get.” Remember, when people see us they should be seeing Christ.

I hope this challenges you today! Have a blessed day!