Martin the Cobbler is a story that was written by Leo Tolstoy in 1885. Martin is a shoemaker and a good one at that. He has experienced much grief in his life and began to deny God because of the loss of his whole family. Martin was encouraged by a follower of Jesus to come back to God and experience his love. Martin went out and bought a Bible and began to read. He read only on special times at first, but then it became his regular source of joy and hope. One night he had a dream that God was telling him that he would visit him the next day. Martin didn’t know what to think, but he kept a watch out for God. While he was looking out his window, he saw a friend shoveling snow in the cold. He invited him in for a warm drink and conversation about what Martin had been reading in the Bible. He then saw a young woman with a baby not properly dressed for the cold outside. He invited her in and gave them some warm food and warmer clothes and money. He told her about the Jesus he was getting to know. Then from his window he saw a boy stealing from an older lady. He went outside and settled the incident and extended love and compassion towards them both. But God never showed up. That night he had a dream and the three people he had helped during the day appeared to him. They told him that God had showed up. When he showed love and care for each one of them, he was in fact doing the same for God. And when they vanished, he realized that God had indeed visited him that day. It is a great little story, and it illustrates what Jesus taught in Matthew. He said, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.” So go out and love God this
day…and do it by loving and caring for the people that the God of the Bible brings to you. Remember that every opportunity to show love to someone is an opportunity to honor and love God. And in a way, you will have been visited by God himself this day. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Matthew 25:36-40 NLT I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ (37) “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? (38) Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? (39) When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ (40) “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
day…and do it by loving and caring for the people that the God of the Bible brings to you. Remember that every opportunity to show love to someone is an opportunity to honor and love God. And in a way, you will have been visited by God himself this day. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Matthew 25:36-40 NLT I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ (37) “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? (38) Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? (39) When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ (40) “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ