Don’t you just love politicians who fly in for the photo op, make a speech, cut the ribbon, and then go on their merry way. It is especially true when they are talking about the needs of the poor and forgotten, and their personal giving shows that their money doesn’t go where their feet go. They talk a good talk, but they don’t give anything but a few leftovers to help. They want everyone else to give, but they themselves are unwilling to do the same.
All talk and no action. We all know people like that. Perhaps, we are one of those people. We point our fingers in every direction, calling out their faults and foibles, all the while we sit and do nothing. Politicians make great targets. So do the Hollywood crowd and the media. They have money and power. They should be able to do something. But they don’t.
The rare individual is the one who, not only gives their money in a sacrificial manner to help others, but then gets off the platform, and makes a difference personally. They invest time and energy in personal interactions with the least of these. They follow their mouth and their money with their hands.
Former President Jimmy Carter comes to mind as someone who had money and power, but then followed his words with personal action. We differ in many respects politically, but his work with Habitat for Humanity has made an actual difference in the lives of the poor. He didn’t just talk about solving the issue, he took hold of a hammer and pounded home his commitment.
In our text Jesus’ disciples have been arguing about which one of them was the greatest disciple, and trying not to let Jesus know about their argument. But Jesus jumps right in the middle with a living object lesson. He is not content to merely talk about being a servant at some time in the future, He continues to be one in the present. His life was about serving the needs of others.
So to solve the argument, Jesus brings into the mix someone who is least likely to be counted as greatest, a child. Much like today in many circles, in Jesus day and culture children didn’t have much status. They didn’t get passed off to nannies and sent to boarding school, but they were often not considered full people until they had survived the myriad of childhood diseases and ailments. It was almost as if the parents didn’t want to get too connected, just in case they died.
But Jesus demonstrates that He is servant of all by welcoming a child. He doesn’t do it with words only. He doesn’t welcome from a distance. Jesus takes the child in His arms.
And then He makes His main point: if we welcome someone who is least likely to gain us power and position, like a child, then we are welcoming God Himself. When we serve those at the bottom, we reach the top. When our lives reflect the fact that we are not seeking power and position for ourselves, but instead serving from a pure heart, God is pleased and we are welcomed by Him.
Who are you serving?
The Arnold Journey 