Sermon for November 23

Recognize Jesus Among Us
November 23, 2008
Matthew 25:31–46

This teaching ministry found in Matthew Chapters 24 and 25 are end-time teachings of Jesus. They include three parables of judgment. The scripture is titled “The Judgment of the Nations” concludes the discourse.

Matthew portrays and anticipates the “second coming” in sharp contrast to the first coming. This time, he writes, Christ comes in glory, with all the nations assembled before him. He conveys God’s blessing to those who have done deeds of loving kindness.

Jesus spent at least one year among his disciples walking his way around Galilee, teaching anyone who would listen the concepts of God’s kingdom. The word “Kingdom” was common in that day of kingdoms. Today, speaking of such a situation, we might refer to it as God’s sacred community. The precepts Jesus taught were simple but important. If the world had implemented them instead of those of “kingdoms and empires” the world would be at peace today.

They include, “share your food”, “clothe the naked”, “befriend the lonely”, “heal the sick”, and “visit the imprisoned”, “do not be angry with your brother”, “be reconciled with one another” “turn the other cheek”, “go the extra mile”. ” love your enemies”, “pray for those who persecute you”, “do not store up treasures for yourself on earth” “do not judge” ”do not be a hypocrite” . Simple concepts these…able to change the world.

When we show one person such generosity, even the least among persons, we are showing the mercy of God; we are participating in the kingdom of love and grace that God envisions for creation. We think our commonplace actions are insignificant, but they are eternal opportunities. As often as we have truly loved, we have loved God.
This scriptural passage is commonly known as “the parable of the sheep and the goats.” Early rabbinical writings regarded goats as “armed robbers” because they jumped people’s fences, destroyed their plants, and cropped grass too close to the ground when grazing. So, the shepherd (Jesus) sends the sheep (the people of God) to the “right” side, indicating favor. While the goats are sent to the “left,” a less favorable spot.

This parable is an indictment of humanity’s violent resistance to God’s revelation that we are all created in God’s own image. At the 2004 International Leaders Meeting in 2007, this declaration was shared:

“We live in a world where the face of Jesus is torn. Humans hurt each other, rending the body of Christ. Systems and institutions crush the spirit and imprison the mind. God mourns where bullets, barricades of burning tires, barbed-wire fences, cultural prohibitions, violence, and minefields separate humanity. God shares the burdens of poverty, AIDS, orphans, imperialism, wealth, and conflict. God is persecuted with those who suffer in his name, and forsaken when his servants forget indigenous communities.

The church also tears the face of God. We show the world the lamb, the lion, and the child but fail to resolve conflicts in our own families and congregations.”—

To such a bleak history, the “Lord of history” speaks: “As you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (v. 40).

This parable is not just a revelation of the crisis of history. It is a call to active love. The six mercies (food, drink, welcome, clothing, nursing care, and visitation) are ministries that can be provided without requirement of wealth, refined skills, or great sacrifice, yet they are lifesaving.

We encounter God in all of our relations. Every wife who comforts her husband, every father who gives joy to his child, every friend who consoles a companion, and every mother who feeds her infant encounter the Lord.

The parable is an invitation to personal recognition and acceptance. Each one of us counts as “the least.” We all bear the image of God, no matter how diminished or devalued we or anyone else may think we are. We are bodies of Christ.

A friend of mine sent me a video this week about a project started by his cousin Carol in Portland OR. She grew up with his sister Ruth and him in England. During the war her father was in the British Navy and when his ship was damaged it put into Portland for extensive repairs. There he met with the church members and made many friends and after the war he and his family emigrated to Portland. After high school Carol started working as a secretary for a bank in Portland and eventually retired as executive secretary for the bank president. She had the idea of starting a theater group for special needs children and persuaded the bank president to sponsor a small group. This eventually grew into full blown theater performances and this video was produced as she is now retiring from directing the performances.

The scripture passage we heard read is an indictment of those who devalue persons created in God’s image. At the same time, it is a celebration of the worth of each and every person—especially those considered by society to be “the least.” To love them is to love God.

The scripture is a call to active love. It is a call to acts of mercy where all of us can participate. We can give lifesaving, life-giving food, drink, welcome, clothing, nursing care, and visitation.

Let us ask ourselves these questions:

How can our congregation convey God’s kingdom in glory and God’s judgment in ways that minister to today’s disciples and friends of the church?

How in our world and our faith community are we neglecting or violating the Christ in our midst?

In what ways are the actions of our congregation and its members leading God to recognize them as serving the “least of these”? When, personally, did we most recently see Jesus in such circumstances? Can we share a time when we were hungry or thirsty or without shelter (literally or figuratively) and someone acknowledged our worth by serving us?

How do we recognize Jesus among us? We see Jesus in every act of charity…in every basket of food, in every shoebox for children, in every act of kindness, in every polite act of assistance.

I recently read an account of a gentleman in a line at the market. When it came time for him to pay his bill he reached into his pocket to find that his wallet was gone. Over his objections the man behind him quickly paid his bill. He decided that from then on he would watch for opportunities to do the same. A few weeks later, he was in line behind a woman who had quite a pile of groceries. As she was checked out, she noticed she had more then she could pay for and began choosing items she could take out. He reached around and paid her bill….then quickly left before she could object.

We all have such opportunities to display the face of Jesus. Sometimes, all we have to do is allow someone else to go first in the line. Sometimes it’s to allow another car the right of way. These are simple things we are able to do to reflect the teachings of Jesus. But these are simple acts we can all do. They are simple ways we can recognize Jesus among us.