PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5)
Jesus responds to the disciples’ question about greatness by urging them to become like little children. He then adds this thought about welcoming little children, for in this way they are welcoming Him. What does this mean, how does our treatment of little children relate to Jesus?
Jesus Himself becomes weak and small, dependent and submissive, like a child. In this way Jesus stands with the little ones, is counted among them, and is treated accordingly. Those with power and authority do not welcome Him; instead they seek to control Him and when they can’t, they punish Him. And without realizing it, how they treat Jesus is how they treat God.
Jesus stresses His connection with the weak and small in a parable explaining that the final judgment will be based on how we treated such people…
“‘For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” (Matthew 25:42-45)
Who are the weak and the small around us? Those that society looks down on, treats as less than human, judges as less than acceptable, shunned from the community? Who is Jesus standing with, and being mistreated by our taunts and criticisms or neglect and apathy? Jesus is still with us, but not in His own body; He is with us in the body of others, the weak and the small. How are we treating Jesus in our midst?
Lord Jesus, I realize that I see You everyday, and yet I just walk past. Fear or judgment or apathy keep me from connecting with You. Help me not just to see You, help me to welcome You and to show You the same compassion You have shown me.