“When was it…?”

Matthew 25:31-46

31 ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that 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 something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” 37 Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40 And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me 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, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” 44 Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” 45 Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’

This frequently quoted parable is built on a double surprise.

Those who are blessed by the king (God) (vs. 34) are surprised that their actions receive commendation and reward. They do not think they have done anything special. Each of vs. 37-39 contain the line “when was it…?” They did not think they were doing great things for God – they were simply showing compassion as part of their normal lives.

Those who are “accursed” (vs. 41) are also surprised that they are being condemned and being sent to punishment. They did not see any opportunities to do great things for the king (God). They too ask, “when was is…?” (vs. 44)  

The actions are simple – food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, visiting those in trouble with the law (in prison). These are quiet acts of caring.

The opportunities to serve God come quietly, humbly, with little fanfare. The question is will we be so busy seeking for the grand moment, the important thing, that we will miss those quiet, humble, so easily passed over times when the opportunity to serve is given to us.

We pray not only that we recognize those moments but that our response of care is so much part of our everyday life that it is like a habit to care, so much part of our lives that we show care without even thinking. It is just what we do. 

PRAYER:

Lord God, we want to be among those who are surprised to hear your blessing on us for the ways we have cared for the hurting and the needy. Teach us the habits of quiet, humble, habitual service, for we long to hear your words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.