I Saw Jesus Tonight

I saw Jesus tonight walking down the street.
He was cold, tired and hungry with worn out shoes upon His feet.
He wasn't holding up a sign that said He'd work to eat.
He was my next door neighbor living on my street.

He always was a working man, working 24 hour days.
He loved his wife, family and neighbors and showed respect in every way.
He knelt on his knees each night and to God He'd pray.
If you listened closely you could hear Him say,

"I saw Jesus tonight as He walked into the room.
His face was filled with fear and fright and starting to turn blue.
Dear Lord let me be a blessing and teach him of You.
As good as You've been to me it's the least that I can do."

I saw Jesus tonight ungroomed and tired.
They promised Him a great career, years ago when He was hired.
Now 20 years later He's been laid off and fired.
You see He had no savings, He was planning to retire.

His wife and kids left Him 'cause He couldn't make ends meet.
Now He's living under a bridge or the alley of your street.
He's not looking for a hand out, He doesn't want your food to eat.
You see He's learned to make Five Dollars last a week.

I saw Jesus tonight, He wasn't in a Rescue Mission.
He was praying on your Churh steps for Divine Intervention.
As he knelt on His knees tonight you could hear Him pray,

"God I need a Rescue Mission, a helping hand along the way.
I remember when the Churches would help others back in the day.
Now they turn their backs and their members say,
"Don't build a Rescue Mission, it'll drive business away.
Build it somewhere else but not here, not today."

Just then I saw Jesus raise His hands to the sky as He proclaimed

"Except for the grace of God, there go I"

He finished His prayers unselfishly,
Asking God to bless both you and me.
So we would never have to live like He did today.
And if you listened closely you could hear Him pray.

"Dear Lord our God please bless them along their way.
They know not what they do and know not what they say.
I would never wish anyone to live as I do today.
So, Dear Lord our God, please bless them along their way."

Written by:
Connie Kelly Beamer
2005