pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Criteria

Reading: Matthew 25:31-46

Verse 45: “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Today’s passage takes us to the end of this world as we know it. Jesus is sitting on the throne or on the judgment seat. In the opening verses we read that “all nations” will be gathered before him. Jesus will then separate those destined for heaven from those destined for hell. Even if we die before this day, we will still be judged worthy or unworthy of heaven.

It is interesting to me that both the sheep and the goats address Jesus as “Lord.” To me it feels like more than a polite title. It feels like even the goats thought they were worthy of inclusion in heaven. So what then is used to separate one from another?

In verses 35 and 36 Jesus lays out the criteria. In his own words it is whether or not one fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, invited the stranger in, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited the imprisoned. Both groups want to know when they saw Jesus hungry, thirsty… The answer is pretty much the same to both the sheep and the goats. They each saw Jesus in “the least of these” – the outcast, the leper, the Samaritan, the tax collector, the woman at the well… Some chose to have compassion and to act to meet needs. Others did not.

The challenge of this passage is to ask where we fit. To which herd do we belong? Maybe we’d like to tell ourselves that this is just one of the many criteria that Jesus will use to judge us worthy or not. But what if it is the only criteria that he uses?

Prayer: Lord God, change my heart, O God. Raise up a compassion in me that sees and responds to needs consistently, not just when convenient or easy. Yes, change my heart, O God. Amen.


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Those Footsteps

Reading: Luke 1: 50-55

Verse 50: “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.”

In the second half of Mary’s Song she recognizes the ways that the coming kingdom of God will impact the world. Mary chooses to look past the potential and personal implications of living into God’s plan. There are two realities that Mary trusts to God by saying “yes.” Pregnancy and childbirth were far from safe. Some mother’s did not survive childbirth. The more lasting impactful reality would be to live out life as an unwed mother. There was no social welfare system. Such women would be left to struggle for the rest of their lives. And yet Mary said “yes.”

Mary sings, “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” She speaks of Israel’s history, of her trust in this God, and of the work of the one in her womb. She goes on to prophesy about how Jesus will “scatter those who are proud” and will “bring down ruler’s from their thrones.” Perhaps speaking a bit more to her story but still to the past and future, Mary sings on. She glorifies how her son will “lift up the humble” and will “fill the hungry with good things.” As he did with the words of many Old Testament prophets, so too will Jesus fulfill these words of Mary.

Jesus will accomplish and do all these things and more. He will be the love of God lived out fully without concern for self. Establishing his upsidedown kingdom, Jesus will face adversity, challenge, and worse from the proud rulers of his day. He will elevate the cause of the ones without voice, without means, without community. This too will come at a cost. We are thankful to be lifted up and filled by Jesus. We are grateful to receive his mercies. Are we willing to walk in these footsteps, loving without regard for self as Jesus did?

Prayer: Lord God, help me to look past the risks as Mary did and to follow in the loving and merciful footsteps of Jesus Christ, your son. Amen.