Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. Matthew 25: 40 (NIV)

A DARK NIGHT

The darkness of the night seeped through the glass windows of the trauma waiting room, separating us into small pockets of gloom. My mother-in-law and father-in-law slumped in hard plastic chairs while my daughter and I alternated between leaning against the wall and standing by the red phone that connected to the operating room. My brother-in-law paced the carpet.

The events of the last few hours had seemed unimaginable, yet here we were, waiting to see if my husband, the victim of a careless driver, would live.

The darkness threatened to consume us. His recovery from such grievous injuries seemed impossible.

ACTS OF MERCY

But God specializes in impossible situations. Just as the trauma surgeons down the hall from us were trying to piece my husband back together, God has carefully designed us as a community of believers to uplift and support one another. 

The theologian John Wesley taught that the works of mercy are one way in which we can receive God’s grace and become more like the image of Christ. As Pastor Amy told us on Sunday, acts of caring for the sick, visiting those in prison, feeding the hungry, giving generously to the needs of others, and inviting strangers home are all the works of mercy. It was a lesson the disciples of Jesus clearly needed to hear.

The image of Christ as King, seated on the throne of Heaven, was one they longed to see, but they didn’t yet grasp that nights of engulfing darkness often proceeds wondrous light (Matthew 10:16-39). To illustrate the need to be involved in acts of mercy, Jesus likened himself to a shepherd who separated his flock of faithful sheep from the disobedient goats. The sheep are those who have demonstrated faithful care for others and are “blessed by the Father” (Matthew 25:34) while the goats go their own stubborn ways.

THE LEAST OF THESE

Pastor Any gave further explanations of “sheep” and “goats.” The “sheep” nations are those who will befriend the remnant of the Jewish people in the last tribution, a dark time indeed. But those “goat nations” will refuse to help “the least of these.”

At some time in everyone’s life, we are “the least of these”: alone, scared, hungry, broken, depressed. And on that wounding night, my daughter and I were numb in the impossibility of the night.

A LIGHT SHINES

Into that sorrowful darkness, God sent several of his servants to bring us light. My best friend arrived to offer prayers and hugs; two deacons from church came with hot coffee and sandwiches; and our then-pastor, Lou, brought encouragement and words of comfort. 

Slowly,  one beam at a time, light trickled into the void. We prayed; we cried; we sang hymns; we even laughed. Our sick spirits were lifted. In the many weeks and years that followed that impossible night, we continued to be lifted up by a multitude of merciful acts. 

Reaching Claymont and beyond for Christ might seem like another impossible mission, but providing one act of mercy–a meal, a prayer, a visit, a kind word–will make the mission we have been given attainable. 

What ministry is calling you to serve one of “the least of these” ?

What act of mercy can you demonstrate today?