There are few people that would argue with the idea that we are now a global community. The economic crisis deepened the awareness or how our circumstances are wed to those of people a world away. We were always united together but technology has magnified the impact and awareness. Yet, for all our global connectedness, there are tremendous disparities. Disparities that should break our hearts. Gallup research tells us that the range of people "thriving" varies from 82% to 1%.
There are a couple of things that trouble me about Jesus’ description in the latter part of Matthew 25 of how people will be separated when he returns. I know that our relationship with God can’t be earned – it is a gift of grace that must simply be accepted. That means that those that are received into the inheritance of heaven will have been in the habit of ministering to those less fortunate. I don’t know that I have developed that habit. The other thing that bothers me is that the people were surprised. They were meeting the needs of the disenfranchised simply out of love, not knowing they were touching Jesus.
So how do we make serving the poor a way of life? Maybe it’s some combination of intentionality on our part and asking God to let his love flow through us. My Dad has committed his life to the “least of these”. I remember him saying that at one point he had no idea of the abundance of needs that were right in our community as well as those around the world. Maybe our part is to intentionally understand the needs and the depth of the disparity that exists locally and globally. Then be ready to respond to what God does in our hearts, recognizing that we are touching Jesus when we serve the poor.
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.’” - Matthew 25:40
Have you seen Jesus lately?
Comments
Post has no comments.