Last time, I explained one of the most important things I learned as a teacher:
Talking isn’t teaching, and listening isn’t learning.
This truth contradicts much of what we think we know about education, but the fact is that authentic learning only occurs when students become actively involved in the process.
God didn’t send Jesus to simply talk about the kingdom. History made it clear – words alone weren’t sufficient. Those who knew the Scriptures best often wandered furthest from their true meaning.
So, God sent THE WORD in human form to dwell among us. To invite us into a community formed around his person.
Now, the question: where to find THE WORD? If we truly want to join this community, where should we look?
Turns out – Jesus told us exactly where to look.
“For 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.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Problem is, “The least of these” often tend to be uncomfortable folks. Maybe we disapprove of them politically (immigrants), or they’ve made choices we don’t like (criminals, drugs). Maybe we think they’re lazy and don’t deserve our help (homeless).
As we make those judgments, however righteous we believe them to be, we ought to consider the last part of the passage:
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”
Jesus says it plainly – when we turn our backs on those who suffer or struggle because we judge them to be politically undesirable or unworthy in some other way, we’re turning our backs on the King.