“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.