The Least of These

Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
Matthew 25:45 Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'

A friend was visiting San Francisco and would have an experience he never imagined. Let me first tell you a little about the city by the bay. Just the mention of San Francisco may cause you to picture some of the places or things it is known for. Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Factory, Haight Ashbury (where the hippie movement started and also known for The Grateful Dead), Alcatraz Prison, and Fisherman’s Warf are a few of the places which come to mind. The Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most famous structures, and the two-level bridge, which collapsed during the 1989 earthquake, are a couple of the things that catch the attention of visitors. Enhancing the experience of these tourist destinations is the unusual weather pattern. No matter what time of the year it is cold. The wind blowing off the bay puts a chill in the air that if not prepared you might be uncomfortable. Nor is this a gentle breeze but one that can make you work to walk against it.




During my friend’s visit to San Francisco, he would come upon another attraction of the city no one likes to talk about. He and some co-workers decided to eat at a restaurant located at Fisherman’s Warf. After they arrived at their destination my friend said he had not expected to see what he did. The area was very crowded on a late July day with strong winds coming off the bay. As he and his co-workers examined their culinary options my friend’s attention would be captured by another person. Amid the hustle and bustle of the people traffic a man was sitting down with his legs crossed. Eye contact was made. Etched in the mind of my friend were eyes filled with despair, hopelessness, and a person shivering from the cold wind. Not one person stopped to help much less offer him a jacket or sweatshirt. This image stayed with my friend as he and his co-workers sat in a warm diner and satisfied their tummies. It is hard to eat when someone else is starving. After they ate my friend approached this man, prayed for him, and then took him to get something to eat.



Often we think of mission work as building structures or going door-to-door handing out pamphlets. Two of the many things encompassed by mission work are taking care of an immediate need and witness for the good news. Actions can provide the necessary platform for a verbal witness for Jesus Christ. During a devotional for a youth baseball team this scenario was presented for discussions. It would be some of the parents who provided unique answers. One parent responded by saying, “Give a man fish and he will eat for the day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime”. Another adult reinforced this idea by stressing the most important thing is to witness for Christ. In essence, both adults felt if this man got to know Jesus then he would be inspired to clean up, get a job, and provide for himself. What about physical needs? Yes, during the earthly ministry of Jesus were many teachings about God. Spiritual nourishment was in abundance but Jesus also met the physical needs of others. Mission work involves both spiritual and physical needs. I feel as though the two cannot be separated.



Sometimes mission work is thought of as teams going out into the world. While this is true we should not forget mission opportunities can be individual as well. Think about the story of the woman at the well in the Gospel of John. Jesus was by himself. He did not go back to gather a team then teach about God, no he taught about God right on the spot. The moment we pass through the doors of the church as we exit thus going out into the world remember that maybe a mission opportunity will present itself. If we open ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will be made aware, as a congregation and as individuals, of the needs of the community. Mission work is about taking care of the physical and spiritual needs of others. Then maybe, people like the man in San Francisco, will get a foretaste of the Kingdom of God when all of creation is redeemed.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4wojcSO9Ww