The Least of These

This morning I awoke with thoughts of those who will be coming to my home for Thanksgiving Dinner, and the preparations that still needed to be completed.  I found myself praying for God's love to flow through me to those who would be in my home today, and that I would see all of them through His eyes and love them with His love. As I was thinking about this, a verse popped into my head: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40 KJV 

Here is the full story - as translated in the NIV:

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'  

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."  Matthew 25:31-46

I grew up with the idea that what mattered most so far as God was concerned was what I BELIEVED.  Doctrinal issues seemed so important - that I understood God and the Bible CORRECTLY.  But these verses repeat the theme I saw in Isaiah 58.  The most important issue is how we treat others.  Jesus said it pretty succinctly "Love the Lord your God . . . and your neighbor as yourself."

These verses from Matthew, like the ones in Isaiah, indicate that what makes the difference is not our doctrinal beliefs, but whether or not we meet the needs of those less fortunate. I want to help, but frankly this description feels a bit overwhelming to me. Are there people that are hungry that I have not fed?  Thirsty to whom I have not given a drink?  Are there strangers that I did not invite in?  People who needed clothes that I did not clothe?  Are there those who are sick or in prison that I have not visited? How can I possibly live up to such an ideal?  Is such a way of life even safe?  As I think these thoughts, in the back of my mind I hear the little whisper, "Do you trust God or don't you?"  Once again, I cry with the father that came to see Jesus, "Lord, I believe.  Help thou mine unbelief!"

And then my Heavenly Father's words come to me through Paul's letter to the Philippians: "For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13) I can't expect to do this on my own.  Only by God's grace can I be so self-less and caring for others.

As I re-read this verse this morning, I suddenly realize that it is followed immediately by another verse that I've been focused on lately: "Do everything without complaining or arguing." (Philippians 2:14  ISV)  So, not only am I to live up to such an ideal, but I'm to do so without complaint or argument! 

Father, you know my heart. You know the selfishness that hides in it's corners.  I once again cry out for that clean heart you have promised.  Only you can create in me a person that is so filled with love that I can totally live the way you have described here, Father!  Father, on this day of gratitude, I find myself feeling very needy!  I feel so far from your ideal for me, and I want to do your will, Father!  Your promises come flooding into my mind.  Not only will you work in me to will and do, but you have promised to continue the work you have begun in me.  You have promised to give me a clean heart, to take away my stony one and give me one of flesh.  Thank you, Father.  I cling to your promises because I know it is only possible through you.  But that's another thing you've promised - nothing is impossible with you!  Father, thank you for your promises! Thank you for your love and gentle guidance!  Father, I ask for a special blessing this day that those that come to my home this day will see YOU.  Father, I also think of those who have chosen not to come or are unable to be here for one reason or another.  You know how my heart aches with longing to see them, and with the desire that those who have not already done so come to understand your love and open to it.  Father, I claim your promises here too, and am so grateful for them!  Psalms 115:14 and Acts 2:39 come to mind, and I thank you.  Father, you are so generous with me, how can I not also be generous with those around me?  Thank you, Father!