February 10, 2014: Epic Fail!

Matthew 25:31-46

Amplified Bible (AMP)

31 When the Son of Man comes in His glory (His majesty and splendor), and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

32 All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them [the people] from one another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats;

33 And He will cause the sheep to stand at His right hand, but the goats at His left.

34 Then the King will say to those at His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God and appointed to eternal salvation], inherit (receive as your own) 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 something to drink, I was a stranger and you brought Me together with yourselves and welcomed and entertained and lodged Me,

36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me with help and ministering care, I was in prison and you came to see Me.

37 Then the just and upright will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry and gave You food, or thirsty and gave You something to drink?

38 And when did we see You a stranger and welcomed and entertained You, or naked and clothed You?

39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and came to visit You?

40 And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me.

41 Then He will say to those at His left hand, Begone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!

42 For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,

43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me and entertain Me, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me with help and ministering care.

44 Then they also [in their turn] will answer, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?

45 And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.

46 Then they will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God into eternal life.

I always kind of skimmed this passage of scripture quickly. Thinking it wasn't really for me. I hung out with only friends and people I was comfortable with. Partly because I had a bit of social anxiety. I have gone to a jail once. And it was awkward. I do go to hospitals some. But only if I know someone who's in there. As I read this passage, I'm wondering if I should specifically go to jails and hospitals to minister. Maybe to sing. I certainly don't want to be that person God doesn't know.

Since I was healed of panic attacks, anxiety and depression in '08, I have found myself being drawn to those who seem to be mentally ill. I am drawn to the outcast. I am drawn to those who don't quite fit in. My group of friends certainly has changed. 

Jesus actually represents "the least of these." That homeless person, that orphan, that widow, that lowlife in jail, the elderly or ill person who receives no visitors - that person is actually Jesus. I don't fully understand. But I must take God's word literally. If I fail to minister, on purpose and specifically to these types of people, Jesus will curse me and send me to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Plain and simple.

"Jesus, wow. If I take Your word literally, I am an epic fail if I am not specifically ministering to the outcasts. And not only that. I, personally, will be cast out by You if I don't minister to society's outcasts. I have a looooong way to go. But with Your help, I must change. I must be Your servant to those who unmistakably have NO ONE. Thanks for pointing this out! I've read this passage many times. But didn't take it to heart. Somehow I thought it was for someone else... Although it couldn't be ANY CLEARER. Thanks for Your patience for this stubborn child of Yours. Please help me to GO! I'd rather minister to the outcast than to be CAST OUT by You! You deserve ALL the praise. I love You. In Jesus precious name I pray, AMEN."