They are some of the most piercing words Jesus spoke. They challenge his followers to the core. In speaking of the day of Judgment Jesus described the contrasting lifestyles of those who are heaven bound and those headed for hell. He said,
Matthew 25:34Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 36I was lacking clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’
37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or lacking clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40“The King will answer them, ‘Amen I tell
you: Just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did
it for me.’
41“Then he will say to those on his left,
‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire, which is prepared
for the Devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you did not
give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you did not give me anything to drink. 43I
was a stranger and you did not welcome me, lacking clothes and you did not
clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not take care of me.’
44“Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when
did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or lacking clothes or sick or in
prison and did not serve you?’
45“At that time he will answer them, ‘Amen I tell you: Just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’ 46And they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
While it is clear from so many other teachings of Jesus and the writers of the Bible that a human being is saved by trusting in the forgiveness Christ won for us on the cross, there can be no denying the importance Jesus puts on his followers translating his love for them into love they show towards others – especially the weak and vulnerable.
Our worship service this Sunday gives us an opportunity to live out what Jesus taught – care for those who have difficulty caring for themselves. Pastor Joel Gaertner will be leading a worship service intended to instill in us the caring concern for some of the most vulnerable in our community, those dealing with developmental disabilities, with the hope our congregation might have the opportunity to start an outreach designed for people with such challenges. Salvation is a free gift from God. Service in his kingdom is a necessary by-product of the gift of being saved. Jesus cares for the least of us! Will we?
Sunday Worship Time: 10:00 am
