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?