Sunday, May 13, 2007

May 13 - Brothers of Jesus

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Proverbs 13
N.T. - Matthew 25

Focus Verses:
Matthew 25:34-40
34"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. 35For 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, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'40"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.'

Insight:
While leaving a restaurant just a couple nights ago, I was approached by a homeless person. His wife, who looked to be about eight months pregnant, was standing on the sidewalk a ways down the street. They had two small children with them. He was begging for money to buy them a meal, and bus fare to Madison, WI. His eyes had a milky glaze to them, and I wondered if he might be on something. He told me how embarrassed he was to be begging for money, and he really did look like the whole pathetic situation was a crying shame to him. As he spoke, I looked him directly in the eye and suddenly realized I saw Jesus. I gave him some money.

Response and Action:
If I am really a follower of Jesus, I cannot be blind or closed to the needs of others. When I see "the least of these"-- the poor, the addicted, the homeless, the hungry, the hopeless--I need to be generous and softhearted. More than giving a few bucks here and there to the occasional beggar who approaches on the street, I need to be active in my community and my church to work for solutions to the broader issues that are causing need and poverty.

O Lord, make me an instrument of your grace and a vessel of your blessing. Give me a heart of compassion for the many people in this world who are suffering overwhelming need. Help me to find practical and meaningful ways to share, to love, and bless others. Amen.

Proverbs: 13:23
"A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away."

Resources:
Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in America
by Ron Sider