I always find it interesting that this is not the END of Matthew's Gospel. What a "drop the mic" moment, if it were, but it would seem that the Gospel writer wants to remind us of Grace and that there might still be time to live the Agape Love that Jesus commanded.
The thing is, those who profess to be Christian, believe that Jesus is the judge of the living and dead. Christians believe that Jesus will return just for that purpose. Jesus, who says that He has "all authority" given to Him, as we read later in this Gospel (28:18), will judge by the criteria He has taught, commanded and modeled for His followers to live.
I tend not to be a "literalist" with the Word, and I certainly strive not to be "dogmatic" as a believer in Grace, Mercy and Agape Love. I must admit that I find this rather clear, and that because it is ascribed to Jesus in this Gospel, I give it great weight. In fact, I believe that this vision of Jesus regarding the end has shaped my beliefs as much as Matthew 22:34-40, which early on made the lights go off for me regarding life in Christ. Separating sheep from goats is pretty clear.
The surprise amuses me, both of those who are reckoned as goats, and those as sheep. The sheep are just as surprised to find that it was Christ Jesus they loved, served and lifted up when they helped the most vulnerable among us, as the goats were to find out that they refused to help Christ when refusing to help them.
Not only are they surprised that it was Christ, however, but perhaps that the criteria for salvation are based on the living of Agape Love (active commitment on behalf of the other, even stranger or enemy, and especially the most vulnerable). No holiness or purity here as salvific characteristics. No keeping of the Law of Moses here or dogmatic living within a legalistic ideology as that life by which one is saved. No mention by Jesus, judge of the world, of praise or worship, tithes or piety.
The sole criterion for our salvation, according to Jesus is how we have actively committed on behalf of the most vulnerable among us.
So, self-less acts of kindness on behalf of the most vulnerable among us are what save us.
I must interject here that I believe we are not supposed to worry about salvation, but rather focus on living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us on how to live in this part of God's Kingdom simply because it is the right thing to do. I also believe we should do it because it makes this part of God's Kingdom a better place in which to live. Salvation God takes care of, and indeed already has.
We are to practice Agape Love. Period.
We do not do so only with those who can return the kindness, as Jesus taught, but give to those who will never be able to add to our wealth, power or status in return.
We do not do so ostentatiously so that we gain in prestige or position with others through their praise, as Jesus taught, but rather humbly and with no regard for a return or personal gain of any kind.
We do not do so in order to be saved, but because we follow the one who gives salvation with Grace, and shows Agape Love and Mercy to us.
There were many who were left hungry under empire in Jesus' life. Rome took everything from the most vulnerable for their own profit, and exploited the masses of people for their own gain. Many thirsted, literally and also many were thirsty for justice and shalom (well-being, completeness and wholeness that leads to peace) to be restored in the land that was occupied by empire. There were alien residents in the land who needed to be welcomed because they lived in a most unwelcoming climate. Some had everything taken away because they could not pay the debts that the Romans, King and Temple Cult leaders of that time had levied against them, and for some it was the collateral of their cloak that was stripped from them. They were exposed to the elements of the world, having been rendered most vulnerable by empire. Some had no means by which to get medical care, proper nutrition for healing or any compassion from those who practiced a legalistic belief system that believed they should punish those inflicted, even as they believed God was punishing them. Many were imprisoned unjustly, locked up by the empire that had taken all from them, sometimes out of fear of insurrection against the injustice or simply because they were forced to do what must be done to survive under the conditions created by empire. Jesus was with these folk everyday. Jesus was among them and rendered Himself one of them. Jesus identified with them and sought to give them comfort. Jesus commanded any who would follow Him to do the same.
Jesus still does, even as one who with all authority calls us to go out and live Agape in the world around us, here and now. We have the Good News of Jesus' Agape Love, Grace and Mercy. We have Jesus' mandate, His manifesto. Any who claim to know, love and/or follow Jesus have His teachings, commands and examples before us. And we have this vision of what happens when we do not live as Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us to do in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now, and we have the vision of what happens when we do live it.
So, how are we doing with this here and now, in empire?
The poor have still had everything taken away from them. Their opportunities and possibilities for escaping poverty have been eliminated by those who exploit them for their own profit and gain. The great re-distribution of wealth that started in 1981 and has continued in this nation, has created more poor and has given those with wealth, power and status in this empire culture more of the same. There are people starving today and many are malnourished because they do not have healthy and affordable food available to them. How have you voted since 1980? Have you voted out of your concern for the hungry and thirsty, the naked and vulnerable or on the side of those who aspire to get always more for themselves? If you are an employer, have you paid a living wage to those who get you your profit? As a stockholder, have you willingly taken less gain so that those who work for companies in which you are invested can thrive? As a citizen, have you demanded that those who have been held down, back and out for generations be given an equal chance and that we strive toward equal opportunities for all?
People are still sick across the world. Many people die each year from treatable and even curable diseases because healthcare has been tied to profit and they cannot afford treatment. Measures have been proposed and some were even recently implemented to make healthcare affordable for millions more in our own nation, but efforts to kill those efforts have been very strong. Did you vote for the folk who have wanted to kick millions of your fellow citizens off ACA? Did you voice your opinion against efforts to make healthcare affordable for the most vulnerable? Do you support a system that withholds treatment and medications from people across the world based on profit? Are you an employer who only hires part-time employees so that you do not have to pay them health benefits? Are you a politician whose healthcare and that for his/her family are taken care of, but who votes against getting even minimal coverage for every person he/she represents in government?
Resident aliens live in the land. Some are economic refugees and others are refugees based on their need for safety. Jesus identifies with refugees, having been one. Immigrants and resident aliens in this empire have been exploited and then scapegoated and often deported. Resident aliens in this empire are not welcomed but blamed by many among us because we have been manipulated to do so by those who would like to keep their wealth, power and status. Resident aliens have been treated shamefully, just as they were under empire in Jesus' time, even by those who were themselves being oppressed by the system of empire. Have you spoken on behalf of the resident aliens here and now, and voted for those who would treat them with respect and honor, and welcome them here? Have you refused to be duped into blaming them for the injustices you have suffered at the hands of the wealthy, powerful and prestigious among us? Have you welcomed them yourself?
Injustice prevails in this empire, also. People who have had equal opportunities denied have also been unequally imprisoned for the same or lesser crimes than those in the "majority of power." People of color have been targeted for traffic, walking and just existing violations and even executed as unarmed citizens by some of those who have sworn to serve and protect them. Laws are written to protect white collar criminals who victimize even thousands of people out of greed, and also to ruthlessly punish those who commit petty crimes out of desperation. We have two justice systems and they are very unequal. People have their civil rights once again threatened because of the color of their skin and equal rights being threatened because of who they love. Do you speak out on behalf of those being unjustly imprisoned or executed? Do you vote for those who seek equal justice for ALL people in the land? Do you visit those who have been imprisoned or support their families with your voice, you vote and/or your resources? Do you visit them with love and not scorn?
How are you doing with this following of Jesus thing?
The Good News is of Grace. Jesus' message of Agape Love, Grace and Mercy has been given to you in the Gospels. Jesus' teachings, commands and examples are readily available for you to learn and apply to the living of your life here and now. As I write this, the separation of sheep from goats has not yet happened. There is time. There is Grace in time. God gives it out of Agape Love. God is Merciful AND Just.
But don't try to put on sheep's clothing just to be saved.
Follow Jesus. Live the Agape Love that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us because it is a better way - Jesus' Way - and because it will transform the world around you to be a more loving, gracious and merciful place for you and everyone around you. Do the right thing for the right reasons. God works out salvation. Live Agape Love and Grace in the world. BE one of the sheep.
Pastor Jamie
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