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Doing what comes naturally

Monday, March 5, 2001

Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus say's, "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.

Margaret said yesterday about a sweet thing that happened at church, "It went straight to my heart without hitting my head." No way to stop and think, rationalize, second-guess. Kids do it naturally. We don't.

Consider these comments of Jesus about taking care of the "least" in our world. Adult revisionist benevolence might translate the passage like this:

Well....
o he is hungry, so I'll help him find a job
o he says he's thirsty, but he's not really thirsty (he just drank a Coke!); it's all in his mind
o he's a stranger; I'll try to find some people like him to take him in
o he's sick...I'll encourage him to strengthen his faith and pray
o he needs clothes, but look at what he's done to the clothes he has! When he can take better care of his old clothes, I'll get him some new ones.
o he is in prison; I'll work hard to rehabilitate him and make him like me
(and as I get each one done, I'll check it off my list)

Now, a kid would just give this guy some of his cheese sandwich, some of his kool-aid. He'd invite him to spend the night and put a cold washcloth on his face. He'd find something for the guy to wear, maybe his mom's bathrobe. And if he was in prison, he would visit him. Go and say hello. Maybe play some cards for awhile.

Sometimes the kid's solutions are short-sighted. I know that because I'm an adult and I can see what would work better, what would make this poor man happy in the long run. I'm a smart guy. Father knows best.

Of course I could be wrong...and in that case, by second-guessing my brother who needs me, by interpreting his needs according to my own values, I've missed a chance to love Jesus.

Jesus words are really simple, and he means for us to do what he says.

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


Jesus, when I do what you say my life is simple. My heart is open and my mind is too. Cut through any red tape I create for myself today, Lord. Thank you.



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