March 26, 2006
Matthew 25:31-46
Mary Naegeli, First Presbyterian Church of Concord
Read the passage and respond to these questions:
1. What is the scene described here, and when does it occur?
2. How are the people divided, and what happens to them?
3. What questions does this account raise for you, at this point in your Christian life?
A person living as a citizen of a Kingdom is going to live somehow according to the laws of that Kingdom. You’re going to speak the language (even if with the accent of your mother tongue), adopt the customs, and relate in the society of that Kingdom in some way defined as “normal.” In Christ’s Kingdom, those who are citizens of God’s realm will be identified by their manner of life. There’s no way—according to God’s economy—for people to say they believe, but then not do what is expected of a person of faith. Jesus’ frustration came out one day with the crowds when he said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). Good question!
So here at the End of life’s journey, the Moment of Truth, Jesus is going to be looking at your passport to see if your travels lined up with the itinerary he designed for his citizens. Stops along the way include where the hungry congregate, where the sick suffer, and where the convicted are imprisoned. Were you there? Were you alleviating suffering? Were you willing to give and to serve the people everybody else overlooks? Jesus said, “Hey, this is a test of how you feel about me!” How we feel about Jesus, our willingness to live our lives for him and identify with his Kingdom—that is, faith—is the basis of our salvation. Jesus says faith expresses itself in real, tangible ways consistent with Kingdom values. Faith acts. Faith responds to the helpless. Faith believes that our Savior takes special care of the weak, through us. Jesus is so definite about this, he says, “What you do for the lowly, you do directly for me.” Whew
So here’s a good test of how you are doing in this area of obedience. Observe your instincts and notice where you gravitate the next time you walk into a crowded room, or step off BART at Union Square, or attend a meeting. To whom are you drawn? Whom do you see in the room, and whom do you overlook? With whom do you feel most comfortable, and to whom do you speak? I realized, when challenged with this question, that I gravitated toward the friendliest, cleanest-looking, and most powerful person. What would it take for me to look consciously for the wall-flower? the meekest? the needy one? or the one who doesn’t fit in? It would take new eyes and a new heart, which Christ wants to give me (and you!) for a transformation of attitude and action required of Kingdom citizenship.
Prayer
Lord, give me eyes to see the needy around me and a generous heart to serve them in your name.