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Posted on July 25, 2005 ...

Until about 30 years ago Homer Sewell lived a quiet life in Orlando, Florida. There was nothing really that set him apart from others. But all that changed when he grew a beard. Suddenly this long, lanky man gained a spooky resemblance to Abraham Lincoln. School children began calling him “Abe”. Then, to complete the effect, Homer added a black suit and a stovepipe hat, and developed a one-man show entitled Abe Lincoln’s America. Since then, Sewell has made over 2,400 appearances as the 16th president, performing for more than two million people. He describes his role in these words: As soon as I get my suit on and my hat, I become Abraham Lincoln. His mission is to portray Mr. Lincoln in such a way that the people who see him will gain powerful insights and a better understanding of this courageous president.

In a similar way, followers of Christ are to be about the business of presenting Jesus to the world around us. On the night of his arrest, Jesus gave this commission to His disciples:

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. John 14:12a NIV

As Christians we are called to present the words and works of Jesus Christ into the world around us. We do this not by putting on black suits and stovepipe hats. Instead, we dress in the garments of Jesus’ grace and the mantle of His truth. As disciples, we are to be imitators of Christ, so that when people see us, they actually see Jesus.

The book of Acts says it was at Antioch that disciples of Jesus first became known as Christians. (Acts 14:12). While we are familiar with this term, Christian actually is not a title that Jesus’ early followers gave themselves. They seemed to prefer expressions such as “believers” and “disciples.” Rather, Christian is an expression outsiders used to designate the people whose words and actions showed that they were followers of Christ.

Here is an interesting question: Would a non-believer invent the word Christian by watching the actions of your life? Do you do the same things Jesus did? As a song once said, You’re the Only Jesus Some Will Ever See. May our lives express the words and works of our Lord. Through us, may the power and character of God’s Son be displayed. Jesus.

P.S. Guess what kind of automobile Homer Sewell drives: Why a Lincoln …of course!