Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, March 2, 2025
You’ve heard the expression, “wearing your heart on your sleeve”? This photo is an example of “wearing your heart on your sidewalk.”
The sidewalk is just outside the Lynnwood Convention Center in Lynnwood, Washington. I took the photo while we were paused at a stop light, giving me a bit of time to admire and focus.
According to lynnwoodtoday.com, “The City of Lynnwood marked Valentine’s Day 2022 by unveiling a new sign celebrating love and equity in the city.” The “I Love Lynnwood” sculpture was created by local Korean-American artist B.K. Choi.
And yes, this reminds me of Jesus. From all I’ve read about Him in Scripture, Jesus did not keep a guarded heart. It was out there on His sleeve, and on the sidewalk, for all to see. His true feelings were openly displayed.
If you’re reading this blog, you probably know at least a couple of Bible stories. You may have heard about Jesus since you were a toddler, or may have started exploring His life more recently – or are somewhere in between.
Whatever your Bible background, would you pause for just a moment, close your eyes, and think of any story you know about Jesus that shows Him wearing His heart on His sleeve?
Welcome back. What came first to mind?
I thought of the heart Jesus openly showed for children, as others pushed them aside:
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16 NIV)
And I thought of how His heart “went out” to a widow who was grieving her only son:
Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out — the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. (Luke 7:11-15)
I didn’t stop there – I kept remembering, and almost every Jesus story I remembered showed Him wearing His heart on His sleeve!
When I asked my husband what came to his mind, his most immediate thoughts, he gave two quick responses:
The first? Jesus in the temple:
In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” (John 2:14-16)
Yes, I would agree that Jesus was not hiding His true emotions there!
My husband’s second response consisted of three words – “Father, forgive them.”
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:33—35a)
Yes, it was when Jesus had no sleeves to wear that we most clearly see Him wearing His heart on His sleeve. He prayed for forgiveness for those nailing Him to the cross, who had not expressed any remorse. His persecutors had stripped Him bare of clothing, but not of compassion, as He freely forgave the repentant criminal crucified next to Him.
His heart literally bled out for us, all of us sinners, to open the door to life forever for us.
As you walk out into this brand-new week, whenever you see a heart – or a sleeve! – remember Jesus, and His bold, brave love for you. How can we do anything less than wear our hearts on our sleeves for Him?