Delaney’s Desk

Dear church family,

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a story about the judgment day when he will separate people just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He explains that he will invite those on his right side to inherit the kingdom because they fed him when he was hungry, gave him something to drink when he was thirsty, welcomed him when he was a stranger, clothed him when he was naked, took care of him when he was sick, and visited him when he was in prison. But the people are confused because they don’t remember doing all those things for Jesus. And Jesus replies, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” Then, he explains that he will tell those on his left side to depart from him for he never knew them. What’s his reason for this? Because they did not feed, welcome, clothe, and take care of the least of these. Not caring for those in need was as if they did not care for Jesus himself.

This Scripture is extremely important. Jesus is giving us insight into how he judges character and how he defines a life worthy of eternity with him. I think often we believe that Jesus will judge us based on belief, theology, or doctrine. If we just believe that Jesus is the Messiah, we will be saved. If we just adhere to a Trinitarian doctrine, if we just believe that Jesus died for our sins, if we just believe the Bible is true… we will go to heaven. But in Matthew 25, Jesus is clear that he expects us to do more than simply believe. He requires us to act. Jesus tells us that we have a responsibility as his followers to love and care for the least among us. This means the poor, homeless, immigrant, refugee, widow, and all those who are oppressed and mistreated. This is so important to Jesus that he gives it as a requirement for eternal salvation. And he associates himself so much with the oppressed and needy that he equates himself with them. Jesus explains that to ignore them is to ignore him.

Whenever we turn our back on those in need around us, we are turning our back on Jesus. Whenever we turn a blind eye to injustice (hunger, poverty, inhumane treatment of immigrants, racism, sexism), we are ignoring our Savior. Ask yourself, When was the last time I fed someone who was hungry? When was the last time I showed hospitality to someone of a different race or nationality? When was the last time I went without so that someone could have more? We are living in a world that is desperate for the love of Jesus. Yet, it will be difficult for people to experience his love if his followers won’t share it with them. We must be radically different from our culture which normalizes shaming the poor for the situation they find themselves in, ignoring the homeless because “they deserve it,” and mistreating the foreigner instead of empathizing with them. To be like Jesus means to love those he loves– yup, that means everyone!

Blessings, Pastor Delaney