Feeding the need with His love

Today’s Reading: John 4:27; 31-33 (NIV)

27 Just then His disciples returned and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

31 Meanwhile, His disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then His disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought Him food?”

Memory Verse: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7 ESV)

Good day!

When the disciples returned and saw Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman, they were concerned. Thinking Jesus may have become overheated and weak, they thought a little food might somehow help him regain his senses. Jesus knew what they were thinking. Once again, He encouraged them to open their minds and hearts to see the greater need. By example, Jesus showed genuine compassion for the least, last and lost. As followers of Christ today, do we care for every person unconditionally and without reservation?

Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Missouri Area of the United Methodist Church, wrote and published a book in 2007 entitled, “Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.” He coins the first practice as “Radical Hospitality.” Schnase makes this important observation: “At every turn, the disciples seem ready to draw boundaries and distinctions that keep people at a distance from Jesus. They have a thousand reasons to ignore, avoid, and sometimes thwart the approach of people, reminding Jesus that some of these people are too young, too sick, too sinful, too old, too Roman, too blind, or too Gentile to deserve His attention.” [pg.13] We have lots of comfortable, newly padded pews in our sanctuary at Faith Church. We have ample space for people to come and worship the Lord. I wonder why there are so many empty spaces. Is it because, like the Samaritan woman, we didn’t know how to radically welcome the least, last and lost into our church?

Christians have a nasty little habit of forming preconceived assumptions about whom they believe Christ calls into His kingdom. We base those assumptions in part by how we are raised, through our cultural lens, and time-honored traditions. If we could only see others the way Jesus sees them, our world would be a radically hospitable place to live. Our churches would be overflowing with grateful hearts, worshipping and thanking the Lord for His love. It’s the kind of world I’d like to be a part of. Wouldn’t you?

This morning, I would encourage you to look beyond what you see with your physical eyes, setting aside your personal opinion, and begin to truly recognize the heart that God loves. We can taste the bread of life as we choose to embrace radical hospitality in our families, churches, communities, and the world.

A little unconditional love goes a long way. Will you choose to love like Jesus loves you?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Help me, Lord Jesus, to love people unconditionally, just like the way You love me. Amen.

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© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

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