December 18, 2015

“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,* you did it to me.” Matthew 25:35 – 40

“Consider Jesus Christ in every person, and in ourselves, Jesus Christ as father in a father, Jesus Christ as brother in a brother, Jesus Christ as poor in the poor, Jesus Christ as sovereign in princes, etc. That is why he took on this unhappy condition, so that he could be in every person and a model for every human condition.” (Pensees, 946, Blaise Pascal (1623 – 1662), “For All The Saints” volume III, p. 98)

Who are the “least of Christ’s family”? It appears to be those who are sick, imprisoned, lost, hungry, thirsty, and forgotten. In other words, when you look into the face of everyone you meet on the street, in the office, in the doctors office, and in the mall, you should see Christ. Consider Jesus Christ in every person you meet, says Pascal. Some people make it easy for us to see Jesus in their faces – others, not so much. It is hard to see Christ in the face of someone who plays for your rival’s football team. It is hard to see Christ in your enemy – political or otherwise. But, who said being a follower would be easy?

Pastor Dave