You and I -know that when Someone comes to Visit…it is something Special. You might meet for Coffee or for a Meal. The visit changes your daily routine and gives you something to think about. It is often uplifting .Sometimes it is not uplifting. Some people are hard to be with. We all experienced some good and some sad visits with people. Either way, it breaks our mold and for that moment we focus on that person.
Now we read the Bible Verse where Jesus said : YOU CAME TO VISIT ME.
The disciples of Jesus were little bit taken back and asked Him; When did we visit you ? And then Jesus spoke the Words that shook their world. Their focus was totally shifted from them to other people. I think most Western People would really benefit from such a shift. We are very focused on our needs and situations. Our rights and needs and wants .Our dreams and Hopes. Most of the people around us feel quite entitled and it creates often attitudes that are not always very appealing. It might seem many people are rather ” Me- Me ” focused.
Typical person would say : Why would God allow me to Suffer ? Why indeed. We somehow feel God owes it to us – to make our life perfect and shield us from anything unpleasant. Unfortunately life does not work that way. We all experience joy and sorrow and birth of babies and even death of family members etc. We see many tragedies in peoples lives and it makes us sad. At some point we all do. Does that excuse us from caring for others ? No- it simply teaches us to value life and the little moments and little blessings God sends our way .It shows us how fragile life is.
The point really is that LIFE itself is a Gift .From God. We ought to Give Thanks- for each sunrise and every bird that sings and new flowers peeking through the soil in the Spring. Every breath we take is a Gift. Every Day is a Gift. We should Thank God for Sun and Rain and puppy dogs and new and old friends. All things. We should remember our life on earth is limited. But still we live Eternally. We choose where. The Question is : Are we ready to meet our Maker -when that time comes ? That is the big Question. We all stand before God one day. Are we ready ?
This all boils down to our inner values- or- lack of them and our Faith in God -or- lack of it. Those are Foundational issues that motivate and direct our steps and lifestyle. This is what Jesus was getting at.
He said to the Disciples ; YOU CAME TO VISIT ME.
Then Jesus explained it -with these words :
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:33-40
Jesus had a way of Shocking people. His teaching was down to earth and practical and full of Love and yet the truth cut deep into their Heart and they never forgot His Words. In our modern world we read so many books and are bombarded with information and sermons and theological ideas…we don’t remember most of it. But Jesus did not enter into big theological debates. He cut right through the mud and got to the point. We need to realize that Jesus wants more than ideas and knowledge and debates. So- in this series of making his friends think beyond their own little lives-he challenged them to think what Faith means. It is Faith in God but that Faith must have outlet for the Compassion God has put into each heart and it needs to find practical ways to touch other lives. No we cannot fix this world. There is so much sadness and madness all around .We cannot change it all. But we can make a little bit of a dent to the madness around us. We can make a difference. Our life and actions. Our prayers and service makes a difference.
Did you ever visit Refugees in Thailand ? Did you ever see how they live ? Did you ever visit them in Prison ? Did you ever buy them food ? That is what Jesus was getting at. And beyond that Jesus said….what you did to the least of my brothers – you did it to me.
Let me Challenge you. Let me tell you – when you help Christian Refugees in Thailand…that delights the Heart of God.
Jesus says ; YOU CAME TO VISIT ME. I WAS ALONE IN THAILAND.FORGOTTEN BY THE WORLD. HUNGRY AND AFRAID.I WAS IN PRISON FOR YEARS.I WAS SICK AND I HAD NO PROPER CLOTHES BUT YOU CAME TO VISIT ME .
You can say : When ?? And He says…
YOUR DONATION TO THE REFUGEES – YOU GAVE IT TO ME – AND THE VISITING TEAM WHO MEETS WITH THEM BROUGHT JOY AND COMFORT TO THEM AND HELPED OTHERS IN PRISON AND GAVE THEM FOOD…YOU DID THAT TO ME. AMEN.
I am sure, by now ,you know our desire is to help Persecuted Christians in Thailand. They have been neglected, forgotten and ignored by the World. For a very long time. Christian communities around the world have also forgotten and ignored them .They do not even think these Christian families are their brothers and sisters . There are thousands of families who have cried and prayed for years for help. Will you help the Christian Refugees in Thailand and Pray for them ? Please do and email us if you wish to know more about the families we support. We invite you to be part of this work and become a Blessing to them.
Blessing to all our Friends,
We wish we could meet all of you in Person and maybe one day we can meet some of you.
May the Lord surround you with His Goodness and His Kindness and Pour His Grace Upon you.
