The Other Ones.

How often have we got involved in a project or church work and only to be left out when it came to everyone getting their praise and thanks. Actually, it happens to us all more often than we think. We contribute something to help someone else along the way and then we find that people don’t even remember our names or what it was we actually did.

There have been many projects that I have been involved in some small way or other and when it came to the completion of the project everyone else went off for their cups of tea and hand-shaking while other people were left to tidy up afterwards. But I have also found myself involved in projects that I didn’t really like or enjoy and my contribution was minimal and I only did what was asked of me. So I was glad to see everyone else move along and enjoy what they were doing.

This thought came to me recently when I was listening to a study in Matthew’s Gospel. It is the account where Jesus told two of His disciples to go into the town and bring a donkey. But the disciples were told to bring two animals…

Matthew 21 (2) [Jesus] saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.

In every sermon or talk ever preached very few people ever make mention of the other donkey. I have no doubt that the animal was used to carry the equipment and baggage of the group as they made their way from Bethany into Jerusalem. But the poor wee animal is all but forgotten about now.

At the feeding of the 5000 there was another person who has remained nameless. It is the lad who brought the bread and fish to Jesus. Although this miracle is mentioned in all four Gospels his name is never mentioned. John’s Gospel covers it this way….

John 6 (6) But this He [Jesus] said to test Philip, for He Himself knew what He would do. (7) Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little." (8) Then another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, (9) "Here is a lad with five small barley loaves and two small fish….."

Did you notice that little comment in verse 6? “…Jesus Himself knew what He would do…”. Did Jesus already know that the lad was there with the loaves and fish? Was Jesus just testing the disciples to see how they would react? This little lad fulfilled a vital role that day and we don’t even know his name.

Remember when Nathanael had just met Jesus? He was curious as to how Jesus knew his name…..

John 1 (48) "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I knew you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." 

Remember when the Children of Israel came out of the wilderness and into The Promised Land, Canaan?...

Joshua 21 (45) “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled”.

Remember when Isaiah prophesied to the people of Israel about their restoration to Jerusalem?

Isaiah 49 (15) "Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. (16) See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;”

There have been so many instances throughout the Gospels and church history of people who have been forgotten. So many people who passed along the gospel life and never been heard of again. Hymn writers, missionaries, prayer warriors, people who contributed with their money and time. But Jesus hasn’t forgotten them.

So to us today who work away at our little projects and the wee jobs that we do around the church groups, church buildings, church societies and generally helping God’s people, the Bible says…

Hebrews 6 (10) God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

As for all of God’s other servants and disciples, the ones who weren’t mentioned? They weren’t forgotten.

So keep doing what you’re doing. God will not forget about us. Afterall, He remembered to mention the other donkey.

I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord.
No tender voice like Thine Can peace afford.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee.
Oh, bless me now, my Saviour. I come to Thee.
 
Email - TheseLivelyOracles@hotmail.com
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