Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me-you did it to me.' Matthew 25:34-40 (MSG)
We have all seen this scenario: man sitting along the highway with a sign wanting work or food or a ride somewhere. In the last few weeks, I have seen five or six. What do you do? My "female" side takes over and says, "NO WAY! I am defenseless if he really is not just waiting for those things." My compassionate side says, "Just buy him a burger and give it to him." My politically correctness comes out and thinks, "But maybe he is a vegetarian or is allergic to wheat products!" Whatever the excuse, it is just an excuse. Busyness, fear or plain old lack of compassion usually compels me to pass them by. But why? Why is this passage so hard to follow? Sure, I have volunteered to help complete strangers rebuild their hurricane-destroyed homes. I have served food to the hungry. I donate my clothes to Save and Serve or Goodwill. Something about planned compassion, kindness that has been checked and certified and is "official" is a safe way for us to live out this passage.
But is it the only way? Certainly not. I still do not know that if I was alone or with my six-year-old daughter if I would stop and help a stranded motorist or person looking for a ride. I guess I have seen too many movies, read too many books. But at the same time, is that the right way to view the situation? How long would the beaten man have lived in Luke 10 if the Samaritan man was not willing to take his own time and expense to care for him? Probably not long. Whose life am I playing with when I am not willing to extend a hand? I realize I am throwing a lot of questions out, but I am trying to get myself to think a bit. We face these issues on a broader scale, too. Anytime we as a society give something away, like the current issues of healthcare reform, welfare, and bailouts, are we living out the passage or enabling bad behavior? As you think about the issues, both big and small, color them with the light of Jesus' words in the passage above. Compassion can be controversial and sometimes unpopular. I do not pretend to have the answers to the questions I have asked, and I do not profess to know what government programs are compassionate or ridiculous. But think about it and ask yourself where you are making a difference. Think about this too: what would you want if you were in the shoes of someone who needed help? How would you want help?
Now, go and do just that.
God, give me compassion. Show me where and who I can help today. Give me the courage it takes to help a stranger, and grant me safety in doing what You have called me to do. Amen
Nikki Hamsher
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