The Least of These

Each time I hear a sermon about serving God is some distinctive way, like evangelism or leading a group, or serving in the church kitchen, I feel inadequate, as if what I do is not important. My service for God is writing His words to me on this blog and making quilts for needy people. Sometimes we do lunch with others but mostly no one knows what I am doing.
Today’s devotion begins with this passage:

An argument arose among them (the disciples) as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” (Luke 9:46–48)

After reading Piper’s explanation and thinking about the response of Jesus, my thoughts on serving God turn from being like the notions of His disciples to being more like the example He gave. The disciples thought greatness in terms of how the world thinks of greatness. Popular, well-known, lifted up, someone that everyone would applaud and vote for, and so on. But Jesus said those who welcome a child in His name is the one who is great.

What? While children are more valued now (at least in our church) than they might have been in those days, not all are valued. Estimates from various sources estimate 12 million in slavery, either forced labor or forced marriage. The ILO say that 152 million ages 5-17 are in child labor around the world, a 2017 statistic. This year, UNICEF says child labor involves 138 million children. Whatever the numbers, they are staggering.

The challenge in Jesus’ reply means receiving them, even to serve them, such as freeing them and feeding them, nursing their recovery from the trauma they have experienced, and loving them in the name of Jesus. Those who do this are called “the least” of God’s people in the eyes of the world, but great in the estimation of God.

Supplying a quilt to a soldier with PTSD, or to a young woman with a baby born out of wedlock, or to a child who has never had a bed only the floor to sleep on, or to a homeless family that just received their first house does not seem like much. The billionaires of this world could do all of that and not miss a dime, but these “great” people seldom do it. However, groups of quilters in various parts of the world step up to their machines without any desire to hit the headlines or even know or receive thanks from the recipients. They just spend hours and dollars stitching.

Few know the work of it, not just time but physical effort. The bigger the quilt, the more the fabric cost and the more muscle required to manipulate it — by the least of these.
Caring for needy people involves more than a warm object to cuddle. They thrive with counseling, friendships, a hot meal, winter coats and boots, the generosity of the have’s to the have nots, the least of these.

Being part of this is not a brag point. It is a burden of the heart, and sometimes involves many hours and who keeps track of that or the cost? No one. This is because of Jesus, the One who tells His people to keep at it, to love the nameless, faceless ones, children and older, anyone out there who needs to know that someone cares about them, God especially.

PRAY: Jesus, thank You for reminding me that doing something in Your name, even something others do not see or applaud, is applauded by You. When my body aches and the need overwhelms, may Your words and Your Spirit keep me doing whatever You ask me to do. 

God’s Promise for generations . . .

 

The Apostle John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4) He was referring to those he had led to Jesus, not bio children, however if he had bio children, he would say that same thing. He knew the promise made to Abraham and the influence of faith on future generations. While many would say this is not a sure-fire guarantee, there are many passages that testify to God’s plans of blessing our children and our children’s children.

It starts with the promise God made to Abraham and Sarah: “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore, from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:11–12)

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. (Genesis 12:2)

Unfortunately, because Sarah had always been barren and both were old, Sarah became impatient and decided to take things into her own hands.

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. (Genesis 16:1–4)

This was a costly disobedience. The child from that decisions was Ishmael who became the progenitor of the Arab people. Most of us know the history of the constant adversity between these two nations. However, Abraham still believed God and Isaac was born plus descendants too numerous to count. His faith not only changed the world, but God said that everyone with that same faith is considered a descendant of Abraham and inheritors of the promises God made to him.

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith . . . . That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. (Romans 4:13–17)

Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (Galatians 3:6–9)

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:29)

This is God’s pattern — to bless the offspring of those who put their faith in Him. The OT is filled with promises to faithful believers concerning their children and future generations. History also illustrates this reality. John MacArthur writes that he is the fifth generation of preachers in his family and how their faith was a huge influence in his life. As I read that, I thought that we are responsible for instructing our children and have a great foundation for doing so because God promises to teach and bless them.

Yes, the faith I exercise today will influence others. Despite my weaknesses and failures, I can trust Him “who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20) for His glory.

PRAY: Jesus, I thank You for being the main reason that God’s power is effective and that I can rely on You to hear and answer prayer for my family and for many families. You are using Your children to bless their children and future generations. I rest in the faith of Abraham and believe Your promises with great thankfulness and joy.

PONDER: Begin to mark in my Bible all that God promises for the families of those who believe!