The First Words of Jesus

We talk a lot about the last words of an ifluencial man or woman. Surely the very last words spoken from the mouth of a dying person must count as some of the most notable, most vital they ever spoke.

But what about someone's first words?

When we think of the first words Jesus will speak to us when we enter His kingdom of heaven, many of us long to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant"... The words that Jesus spoke* to the faithful
servant who had invested his Master's talents, instead of hoarding them.

But those words were spoken to one.

What "first words" will Jesus speak to many? Those can be found later in the very same chapter of the Bible...**

"... Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

These fortunate souls will be confused at Jesus' words, and respond this way...

"Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"

Imagine Jesus cupping His beloved's face in His hands, and speaking these gentle, life-changing words...

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me." 

Have you fed a hungry person lately?

Have you given someone a much-needed drink of water?

Have you invited the stranger, the alien into your home? Your church? Your community?

Have clothed a naked person?

Have you cared for a sick person?

Have you visited someone in prison?

Have you been close enough to a person or child in need to touch him or her? To speak encouraging words to him or her? To cup his or her face in your hands?

If you have done any of these things to one considered "the least of these" -- you have done well.

And you've done it for Jesus.




* Matthew 25:21
** Matthew 25: 34-40

Making a Difference: Orphan Sunday

Poverty. Crime. Homelessness. Substance abuse. Human trafficking...

The challenges facing our world can seem daunting - insurmountable even. Maybe, like me, you've wanted to do something -- anything -- to make the world a better place. Maybe, like me, you've witnessed the social ills around you and thought, "It's just too much. I'm only one person. How can I really make a difference in this crazy world?"

Maybe you concluded there wasn't anything much you could do to put a mere dent in the world's problems. So you did nothing.

Or maybe you chose to commit to one cause. You've dedicated your heart, your time and your talent to combat poverty or homelessness or human trafficking.

Or maybe, like me, you've discovered a collective way to impact the world for good -- for God. Maybe you've decided to pour your life into aiding the most vulnerable amongst us. The ones who suffer most under the chains of poverty, crime, homelessness, substance abuse and human trafficking.

Perhaps, like me, you've committed your heart, your time and your talents to serve the ORPHAN.

In serving the orphan, we have the opportunity to serve "the least of these."

The ones in need of an advocate. The ones in need of protection. The ones in need of financial security.

The ones in need of a family.

While serving the orphan, we must tell others about this amazing opportunity. We must spread the word, shout out loud for these precious souls that God adores.

On Orphan Sunday, we have that opportunity.

On Orphan Sunday, we can -- we must -- share with others God's call to the Christian to care for orphans.

On Orphan Sunday, we can tell others of the millions of children in the world without parents and a permanent place to belong.

On Orphan Sunday, we can share how AIDS, war and famine have stripped these defenseless children of their parents.

On Orphan Sunday, we can share with fellow believers that 400,000 children in the US are displaced, living in foster care... that many states rely on shelters and group homes because there aren't enough foster parents to go around... that 100,000 US children are available for adoption and waiting for a forever family.

Many of them will wait forever for that family.

On November 3, 2013 we can speak for those whose voices cannot be heard.

On Orphan Sunday we will "defend the cause of the fatherless." Isaiah 1:17

On Orphan Sunday we can join Christian Alliance for Orphans and churches around the world and stand for the orphan.

One day. One voice. One purpose.

One goal: to make a real difference in this crazy world.

Will you join the cause?

Orphan Sunday. November 3, 2013.

One day. One voice. One purpose.