Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Sent: Tue, 6 May 2008 06:09:35 -0500
To: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Subject: Morning Manna May 7-BP: Mt. 25:31-46; RBTTY: Lk. 24:1-35; II Kings 1-3
May 7 “It’s Me, O Lord”
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, My brethren, you have done it unto Me’.”
Matthew 25:40
We don’t have to look far to know whom He’s talking about.
The old Gospel song says it well, “It’s me, it’s me, O Lord—standing in the need of prayer. It’s me, it’s me, O Lord—standing in the need of prayer. Not my sister, not my brother, but it’s me, O Lord—standing in the need of prayer. Not my neighbor, not the stranger, but it’s me, O Lord—standing in the need of prayer.”
Jesus’ words in our Manna’s setting (vv.31-46) are piercing words—yet sobering ones—for they warn us of the Day when “the Son of Man shall come in His glory and separate the sheep from the goats” (vv.31-33). Here on earth it’s not too difficult to tell a sheep from a goat; however, in the spiritual dimension it’s much more difficult, especially in the “growing season,” as evidenced in Jesus’ “Parable of the Wheat and the Tares” (Mt. 13:24-30, 36-43). For now, they grow together; but, one of these days God’s Sickle of Judgment will be thrust in, separating the wheat from the tares. . .and the sheep from the goats.
Now, it’s easy to view ourselves as “sheep,” especially when we’re a morally upright, “I don’t smoke, drink or chew—or run around with those that do,” regular-in-church going individual. However, Jesus didn’t use any of those as the criteria for determining which was which; instead, He talked about ministering to “the hungry, homeless, hospitalized, incarcerated, etc.” (vv.35-40). And, then He warned about what would happen to those who didn’t (vv.41-46).
Does that mean benevolent, human-needs’ ministries insure that we’re a sheep and not a goat? No, only Jesus’ blood can do that; however, when we’re truly born again and “walking in the Spirit” such ministries will definitely not be foreign to us.
Loving “the least of these” doesn’t come naturally or easily, although lost people (particularly some of the wealthier ones) can be quite benevolent or philanthropic at times. However, “phileo” (brotherly-love) is not “agape” (God’s love); therefore, it still falls short of the Savior’s standard, though it is definitely an expression of it.
How, then, can we make sure our motives are right when we reach out “to the least of these”? First, we should ask, “Does it glorify God?”—i.e., who’s get the credit for it? Second, “Does it draw people closer to Christ?” While it’s hard to talk to a hungry man about Jesus, our feeding him should always be an entrée for talking to him about Jesus, the Bread of Life.
Third, viewing ourselves as one of “the least of these” will help insure our attitude and actions are right. It’s only because of God’s sovereign grace—not our own prowess or intellect—that we’re not “hungry, homeless, hospitalized, incarcerated, etc.” Therefore, “as we’ve received mercy, so should we give it” (Mt. 5:7; II Cor. 1:3-10).
Thanks,
Mr. Lynn M. Smith
Department Business Administrator
Department of Economics
204C McElhinney Hall
(713) 743-3802 (office)
(713) 743-3798 (fax)
LSmith20@central.uh.edu (email)
http://www.class.uh.edu/econ/ (department website)
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