those the world forgets

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Matthew 19:13-30. In this passage, we miss part of the shock of the story. Children enjoy alot more privilege today than in Jesus's time. There were no child labor laws back then. Children had no status. They were, with women, largely seen and not heard... if they were seen at all.

So when children come and try to see Jesus, the disciples naturally do what any self-respecting man would do in the situation... tell them to go away and stop bothering the Messiah. But Jesus was not just a Messiah. He was God Himself. He had MADE those children. They were, in fact, HIS children. And so He taught them an important lesson about loving and including those who are outside the margins of what society considers important. He did this over and over again throughout His short public ministry - talking to women, Samaritans, even Samaritan women! He embraced lepers and loved tax collectors. He reached out to the marginalized.

And His example is for us today. Who is marginalized in our society? Many, but the ones who come readily to mind are the homeless. Especially right now, as the temperatures across the country are plummeting, and homeless people are already dying of neglect. Let's reach out. Let's love. Whatever you're able to do - buying them a hot meal, helping them find a homeless shelter... whatever God leads you to do when you see Him in the least of these... freezing outside in the cold. At the very least, say a prayer for them. But you can probably do more than that, right? What can you do to help?

God, thanks for teaching us to love those who need You.