DO YOU EVER FEEL ANONYMOUS?
Some of the most interesting stories we have in the Gospels include people we know very little about. In fact, many of the pivotal moments we read about in the life of Jesus show Him interacting with people whose names we don’t even know: a certain man (Mk.10:17-22), a woman who had been suffering for years (Lk.13:11-17), a centurion (Mt.8:5-13), a boy with fish and loaves (Jn.6:1-14). The Gospel accounts are chock-full of unnamed people whose lives changed after encountering the named Christ.
Maybe you’ve felt like some of these anonymous people. You’re just a certain man or a certain woman. All you are is a tired housewife. You’re just a guy working a dead-end job. You’re only a grandparent, or a struggling student, or a single parent. Perhaps you feel that there’s nothing really special about you. If the culture is a flashing neon sign, you’re a 15-watt bulb…hardly noticeable at all.
But if the Gospels teach us anything about the way the Savior relates to people, it’s that when we meet Jesus, He gives us His sincere attention. The God of the universe fixes His eyes on you and prompts a dialogue. At that point, what does it matter if people know who you are or not? God knows you. Isn’t that what’s important?
You might be some obscure character to the masses, but to Jesus, you’re not anonymous; you’re important enough to approach. You might feel overlooked, underappreciated, and hum-drum, but in you, the Savior sees a chance for a life-changing dialogue.
The unnamed people in the Gospels are more numerous than you might think. Their presence in the storyline teaches me that I’m not just “someone”. I’m someone He can’t wait to spend time with. I’m not just another face in the crowd…and neither are you.