The Least of These

The King will reply, ” I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” Matthew 25:40, NIV.

Recently, my husband and I had the opportunity to view a new film on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. If you get the chance to see it as well, I highly recommend it. It is very thought -provoking as it presents Christians with a dilemma whether to quietly abide by rules imposed by a manmade government or follow and stand up for biblical principles, at the risk of arrest and death.

The question also raised is whether it is right to take a life if it is done to save the lives of others. Bonhoeffer wrestles with this decision, but ultimately joins a group of both clergy and citizens opposed to the government of the Nazis that attempts to assasinate Adolf Hitler.

This poses a very ethical and moral question as to the responsibility of Christians to stand against a government that is harming others, and even to consider stopping the harm by whatever means. This is of course is an option that Bonhoeffer willingly follows, but when the attempt on Hitler failed, Bonhoeffer and other pastors were arrested and Bonhoeffer was executed by hanging, days after the Second World War officially ended. It is a sad story, but we have to find hope in the actions of Bonhoeffer and other pastors who brought to light to churches in the United States and England what was happening inside Germany and for their bravery in rescuing many Jews and bringing them to safety. Bonhoeffer writings are still available and we are privileged to be able to read them and learn of the tragic events of Nazi Germany.

Can such history repeat itself? I believe so, as the heart of man is above all else sinful and bent upon satisfying its selfish desires. My question is when this next event happens, will the clergy and members of the church stand with the weak? Generally speaking the bullies of the world tend to pick on those weaker than themselves. This bullying the weak, makes them feel strong and powerful and capable of anything and ruler over everyone with a constant hunger for more and more to gain and rule over.

When we look at the verse above out of Matthew’s gospel, we understand it as a parable taught by Jesus about Himself. He will inherit the Kingdom from God, and will separate the sheep from the goats. The goats are those who basically ignored other people and failed to offer help, in this case, food, water and shelter (verses 31-46). Jesus refers to even the righteous as belonging to this group of goats, implying the religious leaders of His day. These religious leaders will ask, when did we see YOU Lord as thirsty, hungry or needing to be welcomed as a stranger? His reply was that if they saw people fitting this description and failed to help, then it was if they failed to help Him. The fate of these goats? Well read verse 46.

I think the above parable from Matthew is fitting to read and ponder, on whether we could consider ourselves as a sheep or a goat. What would we do if we were faced with a similar situation as Bonhoeffer. Stand by quietly while innocents are rounded up, arrested and killed, or recognize all men as created in the image of God? Would be quietly agree with this happening by not voicing an opinion, making us complicit of the violence? Would we be willing to risk our job, home, family and even our lives to be against such actions?

Sadly, I am beginning to see an attitude of hatred, and bigotry in my own country that takes me afraid. And I am not the only one who thinks this way. Pastors are beginning to take notice and speak against bully attitudes and I applaud them for this bravery. Churches should be places of safety where everyone can come hear the saving message of the Gospel. Churches should be teaching biblical principles and following them themselves to give the thirsty drink, and to the hungry food, and to the stranger, a welcome and a place to stay. This is what Jesus taught and wanted us to follow. We were once enemies of God and yet God sent Jesus to die for our sins, while we were still sinners, not before we got ourselves all cleaned up. Luke’s Gospel tells us that Jesus forgives those who call out to Him and recognize He is their savior even when they are criminals (Luke 23:43) May we also have a heart like Jesus.God Bless-Nancy