In Ezekiel 34.1-10, God condemns the shepherds (leaders) of Judah for living off the fat of the land while ignoring the needs of his sheep (people). God’s words echo ancient instructions to the Israelites regarding how God wants them to care for the stranger, the alien and poverty stricken, widows and orphans (cf. Leviticus 25; Deuteronomy 14.28ff). Ezekiel  states that now God will become the shepherd and go in search of the lost, strays, and injured; and that God will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. All of the preceding teachings/prophecies are distilled in Jesus’ warning about the final judgement: the very things over which people will be judged are the things we have not done for ‘the least of these’ - the hungry and thirsty, the stranger, the naked, sick and imprisoned.

This week's news

Sadly, in this world we will never run short of ‘the least’:

Ebola’s spread continues to claim more victims. 

More victims of sexual exploitation in our country are speaking out. 

But sexual exploitation is also becoming a ‘social norm’ which could lead some people to feel helpless with regard to addressing it. 

The so-called ‘Islamic State’ continues its campaign of destruction and terror, increasing the number of refugees.

Reflection

It’s worth noting that in Jesus’ teaching about the final judgement, both the ‘sheep’ and the ‘goats’ express surprise at their just deserts: ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’  The righteous weren’t resting on their laurels expecting a welcome to God’s kingdom simply for keeping God’s teaching to look after the disadvantaged. But neither did the unrighteous expect any unfavourable outcome for themselves, having ignored those in need. And yet it is ‘the least of these’ whom Jesus calls his ‘family’ (Greek: ‘brothers’). And it is care for ‘the least’ that knits us into Jesus’ family as well. This author has often thought of Matthew 25 as Jesus’ ‘last will and testament’: it is his last teaching before his arrest and crucifixion. It is as if he were telling his disciples, ‘if you remember nothing else I have taught, then remember and do these things. In this consists the kingdom of God on earth. However you or I might conceive of a final judgement, or of a life-everlasting, of this we can be sure: we are in the process of becoming forever what we are choosing freely and loving most, right now. Our actions and choices today and every day will eventually determine who we are for eternity.

Prayer

A prayer to be used after the reading of Matthew 25.31-46 or after a sermon:

Lord, make us worthy to be dwelling places for your Holy Spirit.
Purify our hearts to serve you in truth.
Wherever we journey, open our eyes to see you in the people we:
pass on the street,
bump into on trains and buses,
and from whom we turn our eyes away.  

Wherever we make our homes, may your compassion rule in our hearts.
Help us to remember that you were despised and rejected by those with power;
and heal us from the sin of pride that permits us to ignore the very people you call your family.  

Empower us to:
bear the burdens of others,
give food to the hungry,
give clothing to the naked,
take the friendless into our company,
lay caring hands upon the sick and dying,
and to befriend those condemned by society.
Let us never say: ‘Of what concern is all of this to me?’  

Instead, help us to heed your call to share your love and compassion,
such that we may we see ourselves reflected in the eyes of those you have called us to serve.
Then may we recognise the poverty, fear and loneliness in ourselves,
and confess our brokenness;
that we may be part of your family and be welcomed with the righteous into your eternal kingdom.

In Jesus’ name. 
Amen.

Questions

• If ‘the least’ are Jesus’ family, then what would make us part of that same family?
• We might have good ‘reasons’ or ‘explanations’ for not addressing the needs of the least in our society – but are these excuses for inaction? If not, why do we use them?

Action

Compare and contrast Matthew 25.31-46 with Luke 10.25-37 (the Good Samaritan). Does this help put Jesus’ words in Matthew into context? 

Find a local charity (food bank, homeless shelter, soup kitchen, etc.) that your church members could regularly support with donations or support as volunteers.

Young People

Young people, with adult supervision, might want to have a sponsored sleep-rough night (using cardboard boxes, etc.) with the donations going to a homeless charity.  Another (easier) option would be to serve as the church’s greeters/welcomers.  Either way, comfort zones will be challenged.

Jack Lawson is the Mission Enabler for the East Anglia District of the Methodist Church, a lecturer in Hebrew Bible and freelance author.