Then shall He answer them, saying, ‘Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me’ (Matthew 25:45; KJ21)
Of all the things one does over their lifetime, it doesn’t seem like helping others, could be a substantial and overriding action that would somehow affect our eternal destination. Of all the things that we have done that are small in scale or those that loom large, giving a drink to someone or giving food to someone would tally above all good deeds as most substantial. Of all the countless efforts over a lifetime to be a good person, the actions of giving a blanket and clothing to those in need would supersede those times of worship and devotion. Of all the moments of piety a Christian might hold to as they turn away from evil to follow their Lord, that visiting the sick or imprisoned would be quantified of greater significance and value as to what we would be judged for. Of all the times, we as Christians tried to be kind and concerned about others, our general demeanor of not being evenly and openly hospitable without judgment would be of the utmost importance.
Yet, our Lord, lays out in concise and succinct language, this simple but often ignored and devalued criteria as to how He will assess and consider our lifetimes. The criteria our Lord will use seems harshly simplistic and devoid of the marks of what most Christians adhere to in their daily activities and focused upon in their so-called journey of faith. Why is the list from our Lord so short as to what matters and so devoid of what we hold up as important? Could it be so simple as each one of these unassuming and humble actions reflects an understanding of the key elements of our relationship as a “Child of God?” What is more critical to our Heavenly Father, that we act like we love Him with songs of worship or showing mercy which will connect others to the great mercy of our merciful Savior? What is more significant than all our language about God loving the world than our loving others, that they might know His love is real? What speaks louder than all our religious rhetoric, than the truth in every moment, when we take time to utter the words, “I care?’ The truth of the matter, will be, “Were we Christ to others,” in the things we did? If not, who were we, in all the things we did?
