This coming Sunday during Coffee Hour, we will be holding our second Matthew 25 Forum. Just a couple of weeks ago, we spent some time focusing on Matthew 25:14-30—the “Parable of the Talents”—and highlighted our own gifts and skills and talents as well as the gifts, skills, and talents of our congregation. One of the main things that came to light was the fact that there is nothing we cannot do if we pull together and use our gifts together.
This Sunday, we will be looking at another story in Matthew 25—the story of the sheep and the goats that comes right after the Parable of the Talents. Even though I have been familiar with this story for most of my life, the first time I really focused on it in seminary, I was very concerned about those poor “goats” who got sent away “into eternal punishment” because they do not help the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the prisoner.
These words of Jesus are challenging, even to the most faithful and generous among us. Who among us is truly up to the challenge?
Our denomination—the Presbyterian Church (USA)—has adopted the “Matthew 25 Initiative,” which is an effort to encourage both individuals and whole congregations (indeed, the whole denomination) to live in such a way that we try to follow the words of Jesus – trying to be the “sheep” instead of the “goats” in the story.
One of the most significant aspects of the “Matthew 25 Initiative” is the idea that in seeking to help “the least of these,” as Jesus calls them, the church tries to get to the root of the problem. Instead of merely giving a hungry person something to eat, the church needs to be asking “Why is this person hungry to begin with?” and seeking to find a solution. Instead of merely giving a thirsty person something to drink and having them be thirsty again later, the church needs to be asking things like, “Why is this person thirsty? Is there something wrong with the drinking water?” Why is the “stranger” not being welcomed? Why is someone in need of clothing? What is the cause of someone’s sickness? Maybe you get the idea. . . .
Asking these deeper questions and seeking to find and cure the root causes might mean looking at some of the larger systems and structures in our society and turning our gifts and skills and talents toward finding systemic and structural solutions. Sometimes, this might mean wading into unfamiliar waters, like learning about local zoning ordinances. Sometimes, this might mean speaking up or standing up—advocating for change in our community or state—all from a standpoint of “I am seeking to be faithful and this is what Jesus calls me to do as an individual believer and us to do as a church. . ..”
So, why Matthew 25? Well, because caring for “the least of these” is a theme that we see throughout the Bible and it is a grateful response to God’s gracious call in our lives—a call that will often push us out of our comfort zones. Jesus calls us to care for the least of these, and not because we might be labeled as “goats” if we don’t. Instead, we have the great opportunity and privilege to live vibrant lives of deep discipleship.
I am looking forward to being part of the conversation this Sunday at our Forum and in the coming weeks and months as we continue to unpack what it means to hear Jesus’ words and seek to live into them in deep and abiding ways.
See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
John
Prepare for Worship
This Week: Serving Other with Grace (Grace and Gratitude – Week 2)
- Read Psalm 103
- Read Mark 10:35-45
- Read or sing Hymn # 731 – “Give Thanks for Those Whose Faith is Firm”