Scripture

Matthew 25:24-40

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’

Story of Belonging 

When I was 13, my family spent a few days sightseeing in Copenhagen on our way back to Nigeria, where my parents were serving as missionaries. Whenever we traveled, my father insisted that we attend a local church if we were there on a Sunday—even though my siblings and I often would have preferred to spend the day visiting the city’s sights.

The hotel concierge directed us to the only English-speaking church he knew—a Lutheran church pastored by an American from the Midwest. After the service, which was much more formal than what we were accustomed to, we met the pastor and his family. I was thrilled to discover he had a son my age. They invited us to their home for lunch. Because all of us could not fit in their car, his son and I got to ride the subway alone to their house—an adventure I had never experienced at 13.

At lunch, my mother helped the pastor’s wife in the kitchen, and later told us that she had broken apart their hamburger patties to make enough for everyone—like a little loaves-and-fishes story. We spent a delightful afternoon with friends we had just met and came away with a warm reminder of how universal God’s church truly is. These people had never met us before that day, yet they welcomed us and showed what church is all about: entertaining strangers and building a community centered on God’s love.

This is why I love the church—something my father understood long before I did. No matter where you are in the world, you can find a community of Christ-followers who exemplify God’s call to love one another and live out what Jesus demonstrated in His life. It is like finding an oasis in the desert after a long journey, or seeing a familiar beacon of light in the dark of night.

– Mack Bowers

Pondering

How have you been welcomed in as a stranger and made to feel like family?

What moments of generosity can you provide someone this week to build community in Christ’s name?

Prayer

Loving God, Thank You for the gift of Your Church—a place where strangers can feel like family, where all are welcome, and where everyone may experience Your love. Amen.