“He took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me…’”
— Mark 9:36–37 ESV
I’ve noticed something about humans. They have a funny way of deciding who matters.
Some folks get noticed when they enter a room. Others can walk through the same room, and hardly anybody looks up. Everybody seems to want to be around somebody important, while those needing attention get left standing alone.
Now, I’m just an old black Lab, but I know a thing or two about being overlooked. Toss a ball in the yard, and I’m the most important fellow in the county. Let somebody else walk through the gate, and suddenly I’m yesterday’s news.
This morning, my human sat on the porch with his Bible and coffee. He read about Jesus placing a little child among His disciples and teaching those grown men something about greatness.
The disciples had been arguing about who was the greatest.
They measured importance like folks still do today.
Who has the title?
Who gets the credit?
Who sits closest to the head of the table?
Jesus answered by placing a child in their midst.
That’ll preach.
In a world chasing recognition, Jesus pointed to somebody who couldn’t offer a promotion, open doors, or improve anybody’s standing with the important folks.
The child simply needed to be welcomed.
Jesus said welcoming someone like that in His name was the same as welcoming Him.
I think we spend too much time looking for people who can do something for us and not enough time noticing those who need something from us.
The lonely neighbor.
The struggling family.
The person who never seems to fit in.
The child who needs someone to listen.
The guy who walks into church wondering if anybody is glad he came.
They may not have much to offer us, but that was never the point.
Jesus didn’t tell His followers to welcome people because they were useful, influential, or impressive. He taught them to welcome people because they matter to Him.
And if they matter to Jesus, they ought to matter to us.
I looked at my human, hoping he’d share a little breakfast. No such luck. But I got to thinking how often I notice the people I like while overlooking those who need kindness.
Maybe greatness isn’t about getting noticed.
Maybe it’s about noticing others.
Today, don’t just look for the important people in the room.
Look for those standing on the edges.
Learn a name.
Offer a hand.
Pull up a chair.
Make somebody feel welcome.
When we welcome those the world overlooks, we may discover we’re doing more than showing kindness.
We may be welcoming Jesus Himself.
That’s a pretty good way to spend a day, even for an old dog like me.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
