I have been reading through the gospels this summer and asking one question . . .
What does this passage teach me about Jesus?
It’s been an eye opening and thought-provoking study. Once again, I’m reminded of how active and alive God’s Word is; because of the new things I’m learning and seeing through very old and familiar passages of Scripture.
One of these truths, that has jumped out at me in this study is the value Jesus places on “the least of these”. Time and time again, I see his love and passion for the marginalized, the destitute, the simple, the outcasts in society, and the ones with no status or position. It was women and children and those who were handicapped. It was greedy tax-collectors, exhausted fishermen, shame-filled prostitutes, and lowly shepherds . . .
Just this morning I read this passage that again speaks regarding “the least of these”.
Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. (Luke 10.21)
As I travel around the world, I’m constantly bumping into “the least of these” and I’m incredibly humbled by their UNWAVERING faith, by their willingness to turn down status and position to obey the call, by their daily sacrifices of which my brain struggles to even comprehend and makes make passing up a Starbucks seem puny and insignificant.
By American standards, these people have nothing and are nothing. It’s easy to discount and overlook them. But in God’s Kingdom, the reality is I am walking among GREATNESS.
This rubbing shoulders with greatness has changed me. It compels me to love Jesus more completely, sacrifice more fully, and follow unreservedly!
“The Least of These” aren’t just overseas, they’re also right here in our backyards, our neighborhoods, our communities. How will we love them? How will we “wash their feet”? How will we learn from them?
Will we let the busyness of life or our own pursuit of happiness keep us from these precious souls who have so much to teach us? Will we continue to see them through our American eyes, or will we step out of our comfort zones and love like Jesus loved?
Because when you rub shoulders with “the least of these”, it will change you!
This is God’s crazy UPSIDE down Kingdom; the last will be first and the first last, the childlike are really the wise and those who are wise in the world’s eyes are foolish. It’s the Island of misfit toys; where unlikely fisherman are transformed into preachers, where prostitutes pour perfume on the feet of the Savior they love, and where each unlikely follower discovers they have finally found a place to BELONG.
May we ALL grow-up to be “the least of these.”
Spilling His grace,
kristi
Grace Spilled Over 