An Unbreakable Bond

Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea (Matthew 18:5-6).

As a young boy I remember my mother explaining to me how much God loves me. I raised the question when I began reading the Bible on my own. We didn’t have ‘children’s Bibles’ back then, and the only acceptable version of the Bible in my family and church was the King James Version.

The one text that captured my attention was John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. I remember thinking on that text for a long time. Then I asked mother, “If God loves the world, does that mean He loves me too?” She told me that God does love me. I asked if God loves me more that she or dad. She told me that as much as she and my dad love me, God loves me infinitely more than they ever could. She told me that God loves me so much He sent Jesus to die on the cross not just for the world, but for me as well.

The basic truth in our text is the unbreakable bond that exists between Jesus Christ and His people because of His great love for them. The Apostle Paul wrote, For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

Those who receive the Christian in the name of the Lord, receives Him. To ‘receive’ here is not salvation, but to honor, respect, or welcome. When anyone welcomes or honors a Christian with a sincere heart welcomes and honors Jesus Christ. Jesus emphasized this unity repeatedly. In speaking of the final judgment of the nations, Jesus said, the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of 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 drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:34-40).

“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your great love that cements our union with You. Although I am not worthy of such love, I am eternally grateful to You for Your love, grace, and mercy that not only saves me, but assures me of a place in Your eternal home. Amen.”

Pastor