In Matthew’s final judgment scene (25:31-46) Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep/righteous responded to the plight of Jesus, while the goats/ all others ignored the pain Jesus suffered. Neither group actually saw Jesus, so they sought clarification (25:37,44). “Whatever you did (or didn’t do) for the least of these, you did (or didn’t do) for me” (25:40,45). Jesus identifies with the poor and the suffering. So when we see someone hungry, we feed them because we see Jesus as the one hungry. When we realize someone is thirsty, we offer a drink of water because we see Jesus as thirsty. When we practice hospitality for a stranger, we open our hearts and home because we see Jesus as needing shelter. When we see someone “naked,” we dress them because we see Jesus as the one needing clothes. When the sick need care we provide assistance because we see Jesus battling an illness. When we know someone is behind bars, we visit as if Jesus is the one in jail.
The seriousness of caring for those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick, and in prison seem to be a heaven/hell issue. If we choose to ignore the plight of the “poor” (as defined by those who are hungry, thirsty, etc.), then when we face Jesus upon his return the outcome is far from promising. While culture does influence the passage, especially with hospitality and imprisonment, the truth of this passage speaks to Christians caring for people pushed to the margins of society. Jesus expects his people to show compassion and empathy by demonstrating concern for the poor.
Talking about helping the poor is always easier – even though it’s politically charged – than stepping up to demonstrate compassionate and empathic concern. While opening our hearts to the biblical story is the first step, the second is to open our hearts to the people in our community. Once that happens, the possibilities are endless.
● Reading a book about American poverty or addiction helps opens our eyes to see the biblical story clearer. Reading articles from the perspective of the marginalized helps understand their world better. Such information removes the caricature and paints an accurate picture of poverty. ● Each month Sunshine collects canned food and supplies to send to the Midwestern Children’s Home. ● At the beginning of every school supplies are collected and given to children who cannot afford to purchase themselves. By late fall Sunshine begins collecting monies to supply winter coats to children who do not have a coat. ● When COVID closed our schools we helped supply snacks and food for the Minford schools who delivered them to students at risk. ● Sharon Hallam has assembled “survival” kits for the homeless filled with snacks and personal hygiene supplies. ● A local organization, Hoodies for the Homeless, collects sweatshirts and fleece blankets to distribute to the homeless of Portsmouth. It’s a simple way of helping others while purging your own closet at the same time. ● At the Portsmouth Burger King one or two homeless people are usually at the corner seeking help. When going through the drive through, it’s not difficult to order a couple of extra burgers to give to them. ● A couple of years ago a Canadian high school chorus who presented a concert to Sunshine and needed homes for the student. Sunshine stepped up to the need. ● As you’re enjoying your meal at your favorite restaurant, someone is bound to walk in that you know needs you to (secretly) buy their meal for them (see also Dairy Bar hungry promise). ● Before COVID shut down our facilities a small group of members met once a month to feed the Narcotics Anonymous members a spaghetti dinner, fully funded from their own pockets. Even in COVID the Directly Affected has asked for help to fund dinners for their meetings. Directly Affected comprise of teens whose parents are addicts. ● Remember outreach ministries like Hope for Haiti, Breaking Chains in Honduras or the many crisis pregnancy organizations like Elizabeth’s Hope in Chillicothe or CRADLE in Portsmouth.
As we are offering a compassionate response to the poor and to the marginalized, remember something bigger is at stake. Something bigger is always at stake.
If you feed anyone who is hungry,
You are feeding Jesus.
If you give water to anyone who is thirsty,
You are quenching the thirst of Jesus.
If you invite anyone into your home – even a stranger,
You are giving room and board to Jesus.
If you give garment to anyone needing clothing,
You are dressing Jesus.
If you provide comfort and healing to the sick,
You are looking after Jesus.
If you visited anyone in prison,
You are visiting an imprisoned Jesus.
Because when we see the hungry, the thirsty, a stranger, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned,
We actually don’t see them,
We see Jesus’
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e., only God is glorified!)