“They
also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or
needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever
you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal
punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:44-46
I was
having fun with a friend this last week as we were talking about people we
ALMOST know. It works like this: I almost know Chuck Norris, actor and martial
arts expert, and celebrity. You see, I
know Bob Nuttall. Bob, a resident of
Parker County, was the owner of the local Health Forum, and Bob Nuttall knows
Chuck Norris! I ALMOST know Chuck
Norris.
Yes, I
know…completely silly, but all in good fun.
Here’s one more: I almost knew
Elvis Presley. You see, I know Russ
Taff. Russ Taff knows Jim Murray and Jim
Murray knew Elvis! I ALMOST knew Elvis
too! Perhaps you ALMOST know someone
famous too.
Can you
imagine ALMOST knowing Jesus Christ? How
tragic would that be? To only know people who know Jesus, but never know him
personally…a loss of unfathomable consequences.
The Sheep and the Goats…knowing Jesus and
loving others
In the
parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25, Jesus reveals a shocking
reality for those whom he groups into the “goat” category: “I never knew
you.” How could this be? In the passage, they even call Jesus “Lord.”
But there were missing pieces of the puzzle for them. The truths of Jesus’ love and compassion for
others had never quite made it into their daily living. The hungry had gone unfed. The naked had gone unclothed. The sick had gone unattended, and the
imprisoned had gone unvisited. Jesus
made it clear that as often as the goats had not ministered to these persons,
they had not done it unto Him. Big
problem. In fact, this had been the
pattern of their lives…so much that Jesus makes the declaration “I never knew you.” Clearly, they had never truly known Him
either. They had ALMOST known Jesus.
Hello Lord Jesus, My name is…
I’m a
rather conflicted and complicated creature sometimes…okay, probably a lot of
the time. I’m very outgoing and speak
easily with strangers. I’m also by
nature very compassionate and don’t want anyone around me to be suffering or in
need. But I’m also conditioned by the
world to be skeptical of persons who are different from me. I might fear being taken advantage of, or of
being lied to so that someone can have something I have. So, I’m a bit tortured by wanting to serve
the Lord Jesus, yet not be taken advantage of.
If I have abundance, I want to be able to tend to the needs of
others. I think this is one of those
areas where we pray to be as gentle as doves, yet wise as serpents.
Let’s
keep in mind that this life is not about us, but others. It isn’t about me, but Jesus. I was sold for sin, but ransomed by the Blood
of the Lamb. In turn, I serve and love
others. No more ALMOST knowing. We strive to know fully, the character of our
Lord…to imitate and exhibit His love and compassion. Love others.
There are persons hurting and in need. Ready,
set…go!
Scripture to Claim:
“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
1John 2:6
“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
1John 2:6
