Pastor Mike’s Meditations

April 2021

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 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 25:37-40 (NIV)

As we enter into Holy Week, with our worship services commemorating and celebrating the life and resurrection of Jesus, I was drawn to a devotional by Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California.  Warren notes that, just before Jesus died on the cross, he said, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28 NIV). That moment shows his humanity, that Jesus was God living among us as a man.  The Bible says that the Roman soldiers soaked a sponge in a jar full of wine vinegar and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. The sour wine was meant to relieve his thirst.

Wouldn’t you like to have been there to be able to give water to Jesus for his thirst? In fact, you’d probably have considered it a privilege and blessing to serve him in that moment.  But that moment is long past, and you can’t help Jesus in that way. On the other hand, you can help those around you on behalf of Jesus. People everywhere are spiritually thirsty, searching for purpose and significance. They want to know what to do with their lives and if their lives have any meaning.  People need to know that Jesus can quench their thirst, that he is what they are looking for when they hop from one thing to another. They need to know that he meets them in their depression, discouragement, and despair.

Jesus says, when you serve others, you’re serving him. So, when you want to do something for Jesus, look for people around you who are in need. Jesus said, “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).  Whenever you give a drink to someone who is thirsty, you are giving it to Jesus. The same is true when you lead those who are spiritually thirsty to Jesus.  Love in action is when you meet the needs of other people in their thirst—physical, emotional, or spiritual—out of love for Christ, who endured thirst on the cross for you. The only way you can serve God is by serving people and helping others in his name.  Who are the people around you who appear to be spiritually thirsty? Ask God to show you who they are and the best way to lead them to Jesus.

Some opportunities you may consider along these lines include extending an invitation to someone to attend worship on Easter Sunday (Click here for the invitation).  While many now believe Easter is all about the Easter Bunny, candy, etc.. there are others who are spiritually thirsty and may accept the invitation from somebody they trust to come.  Be brave, be bold, and know that God is with you as you extend those invitations.  

Others are physically hungry and thirsty, and meeting their physical need in the name of Christ may open the door to them exploring how Christ can quench their spiritual thirst.  Our Free Drive-Up Food Outreach in partnership with Rural Compassion and Convoy of Hope on Saturday, April 3rd and 10th from 1-3 pm can help them know that Christ cares about their practical needs.  As a Church For the Community, we want to come alongside people in need in order to help them see the love of Christ with skin on it.

Finally, there are many who have searching questions that have become a barrier to belief.  When you hear those questions, one way to initially respond is by simply saying, “Great Question!”  On Sunday, April 11th, we are inviting people to ask questions about God, Faith, and the Bible.  Our incoming Executive Assistant Pastor Greg Flagg and I will address these questions during the message portion of worship.

With You on the Journey,
Pastor Mike