When one of my children was younger, I was a leader in a group they were involved. I would watch every week how nobody would talk with them, except their siblings and his friends. There is an aspect of human nature, I think, that loves to be a part of the crowd. That gravitates toward being included. It takes bravery and courage to step out and include someone who is different and awkward. I can almost guarantee you have someone at your church or work like this.
People have all heard of the Chosen, the miniseries about the life of Jesus and his disciples. The one character that I am drawn to (and strangely enough, the reason my husband won’t watch) is Matthew. The creators decided to fill out his character with autism/OCD. Here’s why I love this.
I love this because we see real time the disciples/crowds/soldiers frustration with him. (Yes, in large part, this can also be attributed to him being a tax collector.) Yet, his personality rubs. He says what he thinks without a filter. He is a rough personality, and Jesus calls him too.
Jesus waits for him. He looks him in the eye. Jesus has him document everything he says and does. He gives him important and critical work to be done. Gospel of Matthew, right?
There is a lesson here for us. And as I start a summer of studying the Sermon on the Mount with my church, I realize the way to help me understand how to better frame the outliers in our society is to start in Matthew 5.
““Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”
Matthew 5:3 AMP
I write this for my kid, the shy one. They fade into the background unless you seek them out, they stay. Ask them to join. I write this for the person in your church that speaks too loud. Says the wrong things. Talks too much. I write this for the homeless person who approaches you asking for your leftovers after you come out of the restaurant. (This happened to me. I regret it every day.) Give it to him. The widow. The orphan. The marginalized.
May we remember theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Just as that bumper sticker says “start seeing motorcycles,” friends, let’s ask God to help us start seeing those around us that are the poor in spirit. If we are honest with ourselves and with Messiah, we are insignificant apart from Him. When we elevate Jesus and others, He is glorified. He is honored. Our significance is found in a life holding space for the people the world casts aside.
Start here. Start with prayer. Ask God to open your eyes. Ask God to give you opportunities.
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