Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 10, 2022
Read Matthew 25:31-40
31 “Now when the Human One comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left. 34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. 35 I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 36 I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’
Good Morning, When you serve the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have served me!
The sheep and the goats is a great parable, and through God’s mysterious ways this is the second time this week I have been led to examine this story. As a teacher, I spent so much time among the little ones, the least of these. Children depend upon others for everything. They need adults to provide their basic physical, mental, and spiritual needs. Sadly, we have so many children who lack receiving at least one of these needs, and some who are simply doing without all three.
Schools are great places to teach kindness! A few years ago, my school started celebrating kindness week. These celebrations began by recognizing Mr. Rogers with our students. Anytime I think of Mr. Rogers, my heart is warmed by his genuine smile and the kindness that guided everything he did. When the movie, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, came to the theaters, we got to see Mr. Rogers from behind the scenes. You can find many quotes from him, but this is one of my favorites. "Love isn't a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.”
Jesus came to teach us that we are to love everyone here and now as he loves us. Those who are ready to accept Jesus don’t need to go and fix their lives first. We don’t need to submit a resumé and hope that we are good enough to be selected. Jesus accepts us as we are with all of our failures and imperfections. Through the grace of God, the Holy Spirit enters us and begins the arduous task of transforming us into the being that we were created to become.
Jesus taught us that we must love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind; and we must love our neighbors as ourselves. When we commit ourselves to do these two things, everything else will come together. Remember the conversation between Peter and Jesus when Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him.
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
We are called to care for one another, especially for those who are unable to care for themselves: the least of these. In a world where you can be anything, be kind.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. We try to be sheep, but sometimes we act like goats. We look at people from the outside instead of how you look at us from the inside. Help Us! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I can do justice through acts of Christian kindness.
Be Kind! Pastor Liz
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