When Was It?

Matthew 25:37-39 - 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? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?" (NRSV)

I read about Mike May, who lost his sight when he was three years old. Forty years later, medical technology had created a way, through surgery, for him to see. Even though his eye turned out perfectly, his brain could not always recognize what he was looking at.

One day, while walking down the sidewalk in a city, he noticed something there. It took him a little while, but he finally figured out that it was a homeless person. Of course, he had heard of homeless people, but while walking downtown, his guide dog had always led him around them. The day he first saw this homeless person, he was really bothered.

In today's teaching from Matthew 25, Jesus is talking about separating the sheep from the goats, based on their actions. Both groups said they did not see Jesus when he was hungry, thirsty, etc. Jesus did not mean that they saw Him in those conditions personally but that those who help those who are in those conditions are doing what is done for Him.

As we go through our day, do we try not to see those who are hungry, thirsty, sick, etc.? Do we say we don't see them because we don't want to be bothered? Are we afraid that if we really did notice them, it would bother us like it did Mike May?

Thought: Let us look to see those who need our help.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive us when we avoid seeing those who need our help. Forgive us for our selfishness. Help us to see those we can help and to be willing to do what is needed. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Dean Masters dwmasters@earthlink.net
Erwin, Tennessee, USA

Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca