While Jesus walked this earth, He gave us some very important ‘jobs’ to do. One was, “You shall love the Lord with all your heart… and love your neighbors as yourself,” Mark 12:30, 31a NIV; and the next was, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” Matthew 28:19 NIV.
At times these ‘jobs’ can be hard. Let’s face it, we can find some people hard to love. We just can’t seem to get over our differences. But if we simply remember how Jesus loved, the job becomes much easier. Jesus loved the leper, the poor and sick, even the hated tax collectors. He loved so much that he went to the cross to save all people; yes, even the most despised of us. He didn’t see hate, He saw love. He didn’t see differences, but possibilities. He loved and cherished everyone.
And then, He asks us to ‘make disciples of all nations’. Personally, that seems impossible to me. Who of us will travel across the world even once let alone to ‘all nations’? But imagine what we could do if the ripples of touching others with God’s love were to begin with us. Where could that end? Possibly to the ends of the earth?
During the past several weeks, the Mt. Zion congregation was asked to donate items for our local schools. A few nurses’ offices reached out to us to request help with supplying the most basic necessities to our community’s most vulnerable – our children. We haven’t thought of ourselves as a community where our families are struggling and our children go to bed hungry and cold. However, we hear more and more of these instances of this occurring. It is this fact that makes us remember the two verses quoted above. We are called wherever we can to help those in need and give them hope.
I John 3:17-18 “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” ESV
If we can make our children’s lives better by supplying some socks, granola bars and bottles of water, why wouldn’t we do that? If they need underwear and coats, together, we can help. We can make a difference!
As far as reaching ‘all nations’, who of us can say where these children will end up or what they will do in their future. Possibly some will dig wells to supply clean water for the poor in the Sudan or work in an orphanage in Haiti to provide some comfort, friendship and words of discipleship to the children who live there. Don’t underestimate the power of even our smallest gestures. If we reach out in love to just one person, think of the possibilities created by that one act. We can’t help all the children of the world by ourselves, but together with God’s help, the possibilities are endless! The ripples can go on forever and ever!
Have a heart – continue to reach out in love in God’s name to those around you. We are all our neighbors no matter where we live. Let’s also remember God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, through whom we have a pathway to eternal life. Share this message wherever and whenever we can!