In the Gospel according to Matthew, we read that Jesus once said that he will return one day to judge “the nations” (Matthew 25:31-46). There are various interpretations for who “the nations” are. Some say it refers to Gentiles, all non-Jewish people. Some say that it refers to non-Christians. Some say that it refers to everyone on Earth.
And how will Jesus judge people? The reading says that he will judge based on how we’ve treated others, particularly the most vulnerable and the most needy. To some he says, “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” (Matthew 25:35-36). To others, he says that they didn’t do any of those things.
In the story, those who are being judged will ask when they did or did not do those things for Jesus, and he will answer them, “Truly I say to you, as you did (or did not do) one of the least of these. “of my family, so you did it to me (or did not)” (Matthew 25:40).
It’s interesting that a lot of the stuff you hear from many Christians isn’t mentioned by Jesus. He doesn’t ask if you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, whether you invited Jesus into your heart, whether you have a personal relationship with Jesus, whether you were baptized, if you were a regular churchgoer, or even if you’re a Christian. His judgment will be how we treat those with the greatest need. Did you help the people who needed help?
And I don’t think Jesus gave an exhaustive list in this story. I do not believe that the assistance we should provide is limited to the hungry, thirsty, foreigners, naked, in poor health, or imprisoned. I think it’s just about those who want it.
It also reminds me of a quote I’ve heard, rarely expressed slightly differently and attributed to other people: “The true measure of any society is discovered in how it treats its most vulnerable (or weakest) members. “
When I think of Jesus coming to judge someday, I wonder how he will judge us.
I wonder if Jesus could also say, “I am homeless and you did not take me in. “And we might ask, “When did we see you homeless and unsheltered?”Tent cities and homeless encampments are popping up in many city parks. However, we tell them they can’t stay there, so they go to a less visual place. Out of sight, out of mind. ” If you haven’t done it for any of my relatives, you haven’t done it for me. »
I wonder if Jesus could just say, “I was an addict, I used potentially harmful drugs, and the supervised intake site was closed for lack of funds. “And we might ask, “When did we see you as a drug addict?”
The fact is, supervised consumption sites save lives. But we don’t have the political will to create or fund them. So addicts will have to hope for the best but may die. But for most of us, it’s not our problem. Out of sight out of mind. “Whenever you didn’t do it for the least of these who are members of my family, you didn’t do it for me.”
I wonder if Jesus could just say, “I lived on the street and didn’t have a bathroom available. Every time I tried, I was rejected, so I had to pass out in the open air, which is so embarrassing and undignified. We might ask, “When did we see that you needed critical facilities?”
People on the streets have nowhere to “go” and there is no plan or willingness to offer them the undeniable dignity of privacy to do as they wish. “As long as you haven’t done it for any of the members of my family circle, you haven’t done it for me. “
These are just a few examples of the tactics in which our society is failing to help the most vulnerable and needy. How will Jesus judge “the nations” when He comes in His glory?Will it be inspired by the fact that we go to church on Sundays at most?How will we respond when he asks us how we have treated “the least of his relatives”?
I’ll be ashamed to say I probably didn’t do enough. Sometimes I’m “the little ones among them” and other times I can’t handle them. I will put my hope in His love and mercy. And as much as We can, We will strive to live out love of neighbor, stand up for “the least of these,” and do more for those in need. I pray that you will do the same.
The Rev. Thomas P. Arth serves at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudbury.
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