Teenage Mother
A donkey owner
Simon of Cyrene
Who are these people? I am sure you can figure out the first one: Mary the mother of Jesus. Who are the others and what do all three of these people have in common? They all did extraordinary things but, for the most part, went unseen.
Do you ever feel unseen? Undervalued? I do. I try not to get caught up in that space, but I find myself there too often. While Mary is infamous today, she wasn't when she brought the King into this world. She was a teenager who gave birth in a barn. She was an outcast who was pregnant but not married. She told of an unbelievable story involving an angel, a Spirit, and a Savior who was going to save the world. Could you even imagine? It's easy for us to be in awe of Mary. We know the whole story. She didn't. And neither did the people around her. She had to live it. To top it all off, she had to watch her beloved son die a gruesome death. Talk about feeling unseen and undervalued. She faithfully did what God called her to do taking on battle scars along the way only to witness her son, the Savior of the world, be hung on a cross.
How about the donkey owner? Did you ever think about the person who gave up their donkey so Jesus had something to ride on Palm Sunday? Donkeys were a valuable commodity in Jesus' time. They were hearty, helped plow the fields, could carry heavy loads, and were often the mode of transportation since they could handle rough terrain. This man, who is not named in Scripture, knew the importance of the Man coming into town. He did not hesitate to give Jesus his donkey. The story of Palm Sunday would not be the same without the donkey. An unnamed man did a great thing for Jesus without applause; without recognition. He did it because he believed in the Savior and His mission.
What about the guy who carried the cross for Jesus? We actually get his name: Simon of Cyrene. We learn about Simon of Cyrene briefly in Matthew chapter 15. He was walking by as Jesus and the Roman soldiers were on their way to Golgotha. Jesus, badly beaten, was struggling to carry the heavy cross. So, the soldiers told Simon to carry it. This man did not set out on his day thinking he would carry the cross for a bloodied and beaten Jesus. I have a feeling he tried his very best to look the other way and pretend he didn't hear the Romans. This man bore the weight of that heavy cross giving Jesus, the Savior of the world, a brief moment of reprieve. I can't even imagine. Yet, Simon got no applauds; no accolades. Instead, I am sure he was belittled and yelled at by angry Roman soldiers.
These are three of many people in the Bible and throughout history who have done countless things for the cause of Christ without any praise. Person after person served Jesus without a "thank you" or a "well done". Yet, they continue on and continue serving. How? Why?
The power of the Living God.
The only way one can continue living sacrificially, a life surrendered in full service to the cause of Christ, is through the power of God. God moves in us and through us to expand His kingdom. He sustains us when we feel weary; when that cross gets too heavy. He reminds us of our purpose when we feel like an outcast left in place where no one goes: like a stinky barn. He blesses when we freely hand over things that matter to us; our own type of donkey. Every time we step out for Jesus, He steps in. We don't need applause. We don't need recognition. Yes, it feels good for people to notice but, when all is said and done, we know that the only thing that matters is Jesus. We know that when we feel undervalued or unseen, we have a God that sees; a God that loves us beyond measure.
You DO matter.
You ARE seen.
You ARE valuable.
She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." Genesis 16:13
God sees you. You matter.
Love & Blessings,
Meg
A donkey owner
Simon of Cyrene
Who are these people? I am sure you can figure out the first one: Mary the mother of Jesus. Who are the others and what do all three of these people have in common? They all did extraordinary things but, for the most part, went unseen.
Do you ever feel unseen? Undervalued? I do. I try not to get caught up in that space, but I find myself there too often. While Mary is infamous today, she wasn't when she brought the King into this world. She was a teenager who gave birth in a barn. She was an outcast who was pregnant but not married. She told of an unbelievable story involving an angel, a Spirit, and a Savior who was going to save the world. Could you even imagine? It's easy for us to be in awe of Mary. We know the whole story. She didn't. And neither did the people around her. She had to live it. To top it all off, she had to watch her beloved son die a gruesome death. Talk about feeling unseen and undervalued. She faithfully did what God called her to do taking on battle scars along the way only to witness her son, the Savior of the world, be hung on a cross.
How about the donkey owner? Did you ever think about the person who gave up their donkey so Jesus had something to ride on Palm Sunday? Donkeys were a valuable commodity in Jesus' time. They were hearty, helped plow the fields, could carry heavy loads, and were often the mode of transportation since they could handle rough terrain. This man, who is not named in Scripture, knew the importance of the Man coming into town. He did not hesitate to give Jesus his donkey. The story of Palm Sunday would not be the same without the donkey. An unnamed man did a great thing for Jesus without applause; without recognition. He did it because he believed in the Savior and His mission.
What about the guy who carried the cross for Jesus? We actually get his name: Simon of Cyrene. We learn about Simon of Cyrene briefly in Matthew chapter 15. He was walking by as Jesus and the Roman soldiers were on their way to Golgotha. Jesus, badly beaten, was struggling to carry the heavy cross. So, the soldiers told Simon to carry it. This man did not set out on his day thinking he would carry the cross for a bloodied and beaten Jesus. I have a feeling he tried his very best to look the other way and pretend he didn't hear the Romans. This man bore the weight of that heavy cross giving Jesus, the Savior of the world, a brief moment of reprieve. I can't even imagine. Yet, Simon got no applauds; no accolades. Instead, I am sure he was belittled and yelled at by angry Roman soldiers.
These are three of many people in the Bible and throughout history who have done countless things for the cause of Christ without any praise. Person after person served Jesus without a "thank you" or a "well done". Yet, they continue on and continue serving. How? Why?
The power of the Living God.
The only way one can continue living sacrificially, a life surrendered in full service to the cause of Christ, is through the power of God. God moves in us and through us to expand His kingdom. He sustains us when we feel weary; when that cross gets too heavy. He reminds us of our purpose when we feel like an outcast left in place where no one goes: like a stinky barn. He blesses when we freely hand over things that matter to us; our own type of donkey. Every time we step out for Jesus, He steps in. We don't need applause. We don't need recognition. Yes, it feels good for people to notice but, when all is said and done, we know that the only thing that matters is Jesus. We know that when we feel undervalued or unseen, we have a God that sees; a God that loves us beyond measure.
You DO matter.
You ARE seen.
You ARE valuable.
She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." Genesis 16:13
God sees you. You matter.
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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