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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Hidden Depths.” Hidden Depths refers to profound or subtle qualities that are not immediately obvious in a person, thing, or situation, requiring deeper insight or time to discover. We shall reflect on the fact that apart from the main actors of Jesus’ ministry, there are hidden depths of people who played significant roles behind the scenes.

It is often easy to gloss over the contributions of unnamed people or people who are not considered the main actors of a movie, but whose contributions contribute to the success of the entire story or movie. We know the names of the disciples who followed Jesus, but there were some committed and supportive friends and followers of Jesus whose names were not mentioned, but who offered great support to Jesus. One of these unnamed people was the man who offered his guest room for Jesus to have his last meal or supper with the disciples before His betrayal. We are told, “he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. (Mark 14:13-16) Beloved in the Lord, you may not be the main liturgical actor who is seen every Sunday, preaching, reading the Scripture or leading worship, but God recognises your contribution towards the ministry of the Church and Him mission. Some believers play unseen roles such as cleaning the church premises before worship service, offering their vehicles for the minister’s pastoral work, supporting the minister with data, and logistics required for his or her comfort and ministry. Some donate funds for church projects and outreach programmes and prefer to remain anonymous. Some members help other less privileged members without the knowledge of the entire congregation or its leaders. These are the hidden depths of the church. We may not easily notice them, but their contributions are indispensable to the growth and development of the Church. Jesus’ assurance to these hidden depths of devoted believers is, “your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4-5). In other words, although other church members or even church leaders may not appreciate or acknowledge the work you do behind the scenes towards the furtherance of God’s Kingdom and the growth of the Church, God sees it and will continue to reward you.

Again, it is important to note that receiving those who have been anointed or called to devote their lives to the work of God is not a mere hospitality but a divine responsibility for which Jesus has assured us of special blessings or reward. Let’s learn to be hospitable to all, including the servants of God, for there is a special reward and blessings in opening our homes and warmly welcoming others. Jesus assures us that “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:40-42) Like the man who offered his guest room to Jesus for His last Passover meal, I know of a generous member who has offered His house to host his pastor and his family free of charge, until the district manse is ready. I also know of others who have donated huge sums for the purchase of church lands and for the building and furnishing of chapels. These are great examples we must emulate. For some of us God has chosen us to to contribute behind the scene to ensure that the Gospel is preached and the servants of the Lord are focused on the the mission, It is for this reason Jesus said to the Apostles ““Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. (Luke 9:3-4). Just like the man who hosted Jesus and his disciples in His guest house, it is our divine responsibility to care for our pastors and church leaders who have dedicated their lives to the Kingdom business by identifying their needs and providing for them. I must commend all who continue to support this online ministry in diverse ways and all who support their church leaders in their ministries. May you continue to receive the blessings and rewards on account of your hidden depth and efforts.

In summary, we have discovered that those who serve the Lord but do not occupy the central stage of activities have hidden depth. For those who fall under this category, the Lord appreciates your effort and ministry and will continually bless you. You are valuable in the Church and in the Kingdom of God.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to continue to serve and offer ourselves as living sacrifices and hidden depth to the glory of God. Amen.