Wednesday 12 February 2025
"Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you." (v. 42)
Background
We continue reading Jesus' teaching to his followers in the Sermon on the Mount.
Verse 42 put me in mind of walking through the streets of Leeds last summer towards the Royal Armouries Conference Centre for the pre-Conference Connexional Chairs’ Meeting. I noticed a man sitting in a doorway which also clearly doubled up as his bed space.
He was not begging, just being. I walked up to him wearing my clerical collar, crouched down to address him eye to eye and asked if he would like a cup of coffee from the Greggs bakery opposite. His name was Duncan. Having taken his order, making sure I added the requisite spoonfuls of sugar I returned, sat beside him, and entered into conversation. During the few minutes we spoke he got out his Bible, telling me he had been reading it that morning. He pointed out a verse against which he had written that day’s date – clearly he had been reading Psalm 86:1 that day: "Incline your ear to me, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy."
Far from begging, Duncan simply accepted my offer of a drink, a chat and a prayer – all sitting on a street in Leeds. I saw him again a couple of times through the week and he greeted me across the crowded street calling, "Rev Andy – how you doing?"
It was such a humbling experience and Duncan remains on my prayer list. We don’t need to wait for the ‘beggar’ to ask for our help; we can be proactive and take the first step: it can make a profound difference.
Listen:
‘Take Me to the Alley’ sung by Gregory Porter.
To Ponder:
- Where can I make a difference?
- How can I make a difference?
Prayer
Grant grace to me, O Lord, to humbly serve and offer your grace and love to those who may seem unlovely. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Andy Fyall
The Revd Andy Fyall is Chair of the Nottingham and Derby Methodist District.