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May 20, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional

“A Coat of Kindness”   
Ever wonder, why do we visit the sick and give food to the hungry? As Presbyterians, steeped in reformed theology, it is not because we are saved by our works. It is not to get on the “good side” of God. It is because Jesus Christ is in our hearts and we have a new nature that responds outwardly in that love. 
Back in the 4th century, a Roman soldier by the name of Martin was riding into town on his way to battle on a very cold winter day. He passed by a beggar who was looking for money. Now Martin was a Christian, but he didn’t have any money, nor did he have much food. So, he dismounted his horse, and shared what he had with the beggar. He noticed that this beggar was shivering cold, and literally turning blue. Martin tore his coat in half, and wrapped it around the beggar. Then he got back on his horse and rode away. That night, Martin had a dream. It was a dream about heaven and angels, and in the midst of the angels, there was Jesus Christ, -- and he was wearing that torn coat. Well, that dream changed Martin’s life. Now we can read this and think it is no big deal that he gave half his coat to a person who was freezing cold. Or, we can get cynical, and say, “So what, you gave a cup of water to someone who was thirsty.” Well, it may not seem like much to live that way, but God moves through our lives in unique ways. Jesus said, “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.” Martin wanted to live in a way that honored God. He went to his supervisor and he asked for a discharge. They laughed at him. They called him a coward and a quitter. Martin paused and said, “Let me lead the next battle, -- armed with nothing but the cross of Christ held high, that all might see it.” They quit laughing and they let him go. Martin lived to serve, restoring the broken lives of people.  
There’s more to the story about Martin. His life was truly an inspiration to many, to the point that the Catholic Church made him a saint before he died. He is the first person to ever be sainted before he died. Martin’s cape was called a “capella.” The top part of his coat was left when he tore it in half. They hung it in a little place in the church where he served, and because it was a capella, they called the place where they hung it a “chapel.” People went there to pray, to find strength, and to find healing. Then, they began to move the chapels into the countryside so that the peasants would have a place to worship without traveling all the way into town. Godly people were needed to serve in these chapels. And so, these servants of the Lord went out into the countryside and were called “chaplains.” Today, we have military chaplains, hospital chaplains, and prison chaplains. And it was all because of one act of love, kindness and peace.
Friends, I invite you take upon yourself a capella, or whatever the role that allows you to go forth in Jesus’ name, and bring peace and kindness, along with the love of Christ into the lives of those around you.