Bah, Humbug! - Thursday December 24, 2015
The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40 NIV
One of our family's favorite Christmas movies is the version of A Christmas Carol starring Patrick Stewart. There are many great life applications to be learned from the characters in the story, but the one I have been reflecting on recently is Ebenezer Scrooge's nephew, Fred. He cheerfully and persistently shows love to his uncle, even when Scrooge has done nothing to deserve it.
It made me think about who the Scrooges are in my life this holiday season. There are people around us that are easy to be generous toward because they are appreciative and responsive. But what about those who are bitter, selfish, rude, and don't really deserve our benevolence? What about those who are different from us and around whom we feel awkward?
My first response should be to look to Jesus to see how He treated people. He had dinner with Zacchaeus who was a cheating and unscrupulous man. Jesus showed compassion and forgiveness to the Samaritan woman who had led a promiscuous life. These people's lives were radically transformed because of the love shown to them by Jesus.
Who will it be this Christmas for each of us? Is there someone who is alone whom we could invite to our holiday meal? Is there an estranged relative whom God is calling us to reconcile with? Is there a co-worker who is hard to get along with that we can shower with undeserved grace? Let's look beyond the crusty exterior of theses Scrooges to the person Jesus loves and died for.
Submitted by:
Kelly Lewis
Grace Point Community Church
Lewis Center, Ohio
One-Year Reading Plan:
Zechariah 6:1-7:14
Revelation 15:1-8
Psalms 143:1-12
Proverbs 30:24-28
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