The Least of These

³⁴ Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ³⁷ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸ And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹ And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 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 25:34-40, English Standard Version)
  
Those are some challenging words from Jesus.  He is calling us to a life of service and of love.  Sure, most of us try to be nice to everyone (hopefully), but what does it mean to truly serve and to love?  What does it look like for us to really reach out to "the least of these?"  Who exactly is "the least of these?"  Here's the song "Under Bridges" by Brave Saint Saturn, which I think paints an excellent picture of what Jesus meant in the above passage.

 The language in this song may be shocking, but I think it needs to be.  We need to be reminded that the homeless, the junkie, the alcoholic are all created in the image of God.  

I'm writing this to myself probably moreso than to anyone else reading.  Why is it so hard for us to get out of our comfort zones and talk to someone who doesn't look like us or live like us?  Shouldn't the gospel be important enough to share to everyone?  Shouldn't we care about the souls of everyone, regardless of their situation or lot in life?  Who is the "least of these?"  It is the homeless man begging for change outside of the gas station; the junkie jonesing for another shot of heroin; the alcoholic who beats his wife and children; the teenager struggling with his sexuality and worried about becoming an outcast to his own family; the church leader addicted to pornography; the soccer mom addicted to gambling.

We are not called to keep Jesus to ourselves.  Jesus in Matthew 28:19 tells us to make disciples off all nations, not just the people who look like us or dress like us or like the things we like.  Again, I think this is more for me than anyone else.  I need to be more bold with my faith.  I need to see others as Jesus would see them, not as I do.  I need to be reminded everyday that each person has a soul that is either bound for heaven or for hell.  Jesus made it my responsibility to let people know that they don't have to spend eternity in hell, that Jesus loves them and wants to have a relationship with them.  Why don't I do that?