January 15, 2023

TAKING CARE OF CHRIST

Matthew 25:34-40

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

Personal Challenge

There is so much doctrine that has sprung up about this passage over the millennia since Christ spoke these words. Here is not the place or the time to debate that doctrine. A key element of this passage, as well as the verses around it, is that the followers of Christ are charged with taking care of those in their lives as if they were taking care of Christ Himself. One of my favorite icons in the Orthodox Church is the creation of Adam. As you look deeply into this icon, not only do you see Jesus, the Creator, blowing His breathe of life into Adam, but you see that Adam's face is the same as Jesus' face. We are all created in the image of God. We are His living icons. When we help another human being, our neighbor, in their time of need, we are helping Christ. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!