Month: June 2020

Our scripture this week is Matthew 11:25-30.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus tells us that God has “hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (v. 25). He often called His followers “little children”, indicating their status as learners and their desire to know more. He was thanking God for His marvelous plan to share the Good News with ordinary people, rather than the rich and powerful.

This was a bottom up approach to salvation, a grassroots effort we might say. In line with God’s invitation to accept a relationship with Him, rather than a forced connection, He used ordinary people who could not coerce others into belief, but simply told their story so that those who heard might want to know more. Inviting and sharing is still the way we let others hear of God’s love.

In Matthew 18 Jesus teaches us “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”. We must put aside our pride and our preconceptions if we are to inherit the kingdom. Jesus calls us to be part of His work here, learning and growing in our faith as children of God.

Loving Lord, we are Your children, in need of Your love and care. Help us to share the joy of our connection with You to all Your children everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 11:25-30.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

In this week’s scripture lesson, we hear Jesus explain the connection between Himself and God – “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son” (v. 27). I’m sure the disciples said “wait, we know you, Lord and we know God”, wanting to justify their relationship. Jesus continues with “and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him”, assuring them that they will have their own personal relationship with both Him and God.

We can never fully understand the bond between Jesus and the Father in heaven. It is enough for us to have our own connection and to know the love that is shared for the good of all creation. Once we have accepted that relationship, we have more to learn and do.

Jesus also calls us to “take His yoke”, the challenge of sharing God’s truth and proclaiming the coming of His kingdom. This is the responsibility laid on those who call themselves His followers. We are all part of the effort to bring the world to Him.

Loving Lord, we are humbled by being chosen to work for Your kingdom. Strengthen us and make us effective advocates who care for Your people everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:40-42.

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

The most important point in this passage is the fact that those who welcome His messengers welcome Jesus Himself, and by extension of that connection, God the Father who sent Him. Jesus wants us to know the joy He knows, the relationship He shares and the blessing it entails. Being one with God and each other is the message He has brought from the very beginning.

When He was born, the angels sang “Glory to God and peace on earth”, an indicator of what was intended for Jesus. He came to show us God’s love as one of us, in a way we could more easily understand and then become more like Him – more like the image in which we were created. God wasn’t doing something new, He was helping us remember something very old.

Scripture tells us the story – “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27) and “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). God made us with a purpose, to be His children, to love Him and each other. Jesus calls us to remember that purpose and act on the promise He shares, that we may have eternal life.

Gracious God, we are the work of Your hands, children of Your intent. Help us to live in the light of Your love, reminding all our brothers and sisters of the blessing we have in You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:40-42.

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Jesus explains that even those who may not be active missionaries, in the sense of going from place to place, have a responsibility to support the “prophets” and “righteous persons” who do. Jesus also tells us that when we welcome them and encourage their ministry, we become part of that work. The kingdom of heaven has a position and a responsibility for each of us.

Perhaps you are not called to go build schools in far away places, but when you send a donation, your gift makes things happen. We are all both benefactors and beneficiaries in God’s economy, expected to give help when and where we are able, and accept the generosity of others when necessary.

Think about the number of worthy outreach efforts where you are or far away, and ask God to guide you in supporting ministry that will share His love with others. Learn where there is a need you can help meet. We can make a difference in the world with our prayers and our action.

Loving Lord, we see a world that cries out for the care we can provide. Help us to be the gift of love You send to meet these needs. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:40-42.

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Jesus speaks of a reward for those who welcome His messengers and His word – “a prophet’s reward…a righteous person’s reward”. It would seem that your reward depends on what message you receive. Are there different levels of being saved and spending eternity with God?

That’s certainly not what Jesus is saying. In other lessons He specifically taught that there is no ranking in God’s kingdom, we are all His beloved children. The parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matt.20:1-16) shows that God treats us all equally.

God is more concerned about our love for one another and our obedience to His commandments. When we use the gifts we have been given for the good of others, we are living out our faith. Our reward is our eternal connection to Him, to hear the welcome He has for us “well done, good and faithful servant “.

Heavenly Father, bless us to be humble and useful in Your plan for creation. May our love for You show in everything we do. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:40-42.

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Jesus talks of how the kingdom will spread, person to person, and of our individual responsibility for this. Each of us must be ready to share our experience so that others may come to know the Lord as we do. Those who welcome the message may then become part of the ongoing work.

We have different gifts to offer and different ways of reaching people. That’s the beauty and wonder of how God made us. One may not understand or relate to what another has to share but someone else may have a story that will open their heart. Jesus needs us all to tell the world of our connection so they might understand and believe.

When you give your life to Him, a marvelous purpose is there for you! God has plans for every one of us and when we say “yes Lord” He puts us into action. Be ready for what He calls you to do for His kingdom.

Gracious God, we are glad to be part of Your wonderful work. Make us useful in Your kingdom that all may know the joy of a life in You. Amen.

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Jesus teaches us in this passage that those who show kindness will be blessed. Even the smallest action can have a huge and lasting effect. We must never discount how important it is to treat each other well.

How do we do that? Jesus showed us in His words and actions what it meant to love one another and be kind. He calls us all to do the same. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement had 3 rules for us to follow Jesus in this: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.

We may think that sounds too simple, it couldn’t possibly work! Sadly, our minds have been led away from simple solutions to our problems, which are often the best (or only!) way to resolve them. Jesus wants us to think simply of one another as brothers and sisters and live together in peace.

Loving Lord, we have made the world a cold and complex place. Help us to share the simple warmth of Your love with everyone that all may know Your joy. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:40-42.

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Jesus speaks of welcoming those who come in His name and the blessings for those who do. He tells us the concept of hospitality begins with acceptance, that we welcome others not because of what they can do for us, but simply for who they are. When we see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, we begin to see the kingdom of God.

In Genesis 18 we read of Abraham welcoming guests in the desert, unaware (at least initially) that it is in fact the Lord and two of His angels to whom he shows kindness. Abraham knew nothing about these people other than they were fellow creatures, made in God’s image, yet he brings them to his tent and treats them as company. Jesus tells us the same was expected in the time of the disciples, and is still our duty today.

Jesus asks us to be hospitable to each other for the sake of our common heritage as children of God. Sometimes we find it difficult to even speak kindly to each other, but Jesus says much more than common courtesy is expected of us. We are all part of the same family and we must learn to love each other if we are to reach our reward.

Heavenly Father, help us to be the loving beings You intend us to be. Help us to put away our fear and anger and see each other as You do, loving everyone for who they are. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:40-42.

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

This week’s passage is short, but it tells the disciples the main purpose of their ministry: “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me” (v. 40). Jesus says those who welcome the truth they share are accepting the relationship God offers through Him. This will be their first opportunity to proclaim as Christ has “the kingdom of God has come near”.

This is the same mission Jesus calls us to as well. We can have no higher purpose than to tell the world of God’s love. We may have other vocations but this message should be infused in all we do, and passed to all we meet.

How can you share the kingdom message today? God may not call you to preach on a street corner, but then again, he might! When we live as He intends, treating all our brothers and sisters with the love He sends, we fulfill the disciple mission.

Gracious God, we are glad to be part of Your work here on earth. Help us to be energetic messengers of Your kingdom. Amen.