Comments on: Nov. 25: Doing good unto the least of these http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/ Advent and Lenten devotions by Goshen College students, faculty and staff Tue, 02 Apr 2013 01:56:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Elizabeth S.O. http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/#comment-1669 Elizabeth S.O. Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:36:49 +0000 http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/?p=1146#comment-1669 I was rereading some of the devotionals from this past Advent, and I happened to come across this one. Thank you for putting this Biblical passage into a different perspective for me! Previously, this has been one of the passages with which I've struggled the most. There have been times when it's sent me into an agony over the times I have failed to help people who need help. I've often wondered, "What about that time I didn't work at the shelter, or that time I passed by that vendor for The Contributor [my city's newspaper sold for the benefit of the homeless]? Does this mean that I'm a 'goat'?" Your devotional has helped me leave behind those worries and just focus on reaching out to "the least of these." Thank you! I was rereading some of the devotionals from this past Advent, and I happened to come across this one. Thank you for putting this Biblical passage into a different perspective for me! Previously, this has been one of the passages with which I’ve struggled the most. There have been times when it’s sent me into an agony over the times I have failed to help people who need help. I’ve often wondered, “What about that time I didn’t work at the shelter, or that time I passed by that vendor for The Contributor [my city's newspaper sold for the benefit of the homeless]? Does this mean that I’m a ‘goat’?” Your devotional has helped me leave behind those worries and just focus on reaching out to “the least of these.” Thank you!

]]> By: Brook Hostetter http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/#comment-1668 Brook Hostetter Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:33:29 +0000 http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/?p=1146#comment-1668 Karina, Thank you for your words. This rang well with me, in fact, I had recently been thinking about this topic...how I can show that I'm in a relationship with Jesus? This message says that we can do this by helping "the least of these". What an exciting challenge. Thank You. Karina,
Thank you for your words. This rang well with me, in fact, I had recently been thinking about this topic…how I can show that I’m in a relationship with Jesus? This message says that we can do this by helping “the least of these”. What an exciting challenge.
Thank You.

]]> By: Bob http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/#comment-1667 Bob Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:38:09 +0000 http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/?p=1146#comment-1667 This is living our faith out thanks for reminding us!!!!!!!!!! This is living our faith out thanks for reminding us!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Jon Byler http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/#comment-1666 Jon Byler Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:28:48 +0000 http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/?p=1146#comment-1666 Including enemies in the 'least of these' is thought provoking and, I believe, helpful. Thank you. Including enemies in the ‘least of these’ is thought provoking and, I believe, helpful. Thank you.

]]> By: ML Ewing http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/#comment-1665 ML Ewing Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:26:44 +0000 http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/?p=1146#comment-1665 Katrina, You write very well. Today I was particularly impacted by how vital it is for me as a Christian to live these acts of love for Jesus. Today's ideological climate is so polarized and divisive, that if we do the things Jesus states are necessary to the least of these, we can make our country and our world a much more holy place. Thank you Katrina,
You write very well. Today I was particularly impacted by how vital it is for me as a Christian to live these acts of love for Jesus. Today’s ideological climate is so polarized and divisive, that if we do the things Jesus states are necessary to the least of these, we can make our country and our world a much more holy place. Thank you

]]> By: John J. Smith http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/#comment-1664 John J. Smith Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:43:53 +0000 http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/?p=1146#comment-1664 Your emphasis on "love of enemy" is well placed --- it's a most worthy "Jesus goal" to keep shooting for. Your emphasis on “love of enemy” is well placed — it’s a most worthy “Jesus goal” to keep shooting for.

]]> By: Jane T. http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/#comment-1663 Jane T. Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:07:09 +0000 http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/?p=1146#comment-1663 Lovely way to transition from Thanksgiving to Advent. I, too, struggle with maintaining the proper perspective. It helps me to remember to phrases: "Jesus in a disturbing disguise," and "One for whom Christ died." Either one of those puts a quick end to my human tendency to judge and separate myself from those who need me to love them so that Jesus can love them. Thanks also for the comments, esp. Jason's litany. Inspired! Lovely way to transition from Thanksgiving to Advent. I, too, struggle with maintaining the proper perspective. It helps me to remember to phrases: “Jesus in a disturbing disguise,” and “One for whom Christ died.” Either one of those puts a quick end to my human tendency to judge and separate myself from those who need me to love them so that Jesus can love them.

Thanks also for the comments, esp. Jason’s litany. Inspired!

]]> By: Jason Lacoss-Arnold http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/#comment-1662 Jason Lacoss-Arnold Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:27:45 +0000 http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/?p=1146#comment-1662 From my blog at http://menemenetekeltoday.blogspot.com/2010/11/matthew-25-modernized.html Matthew 25, Modernized A while back, I shared these thoughts with my church. It is interesting that there are two sermons on mounts that bookend Jesus' ministry.  The classic sermon on the mount really launches he teaching,  But just before the cross, there is a sermon on the Mount of Olives that seems to build higher and higher as he draws his listeners in.  In chapter 24, he starts getting his listeners ready to think of ends and being prepared for judgement.  Then in chapter 25, he starts on a series of parables that each dig deeper.  The parable of the Bridesmaids is pushing them to be ready.  The parable of the talents goes deeper, saying in effect that its not enough to just don't do anything wrong.  Instead, success is found in also doing things (the work of the Father) right.  Sin avoidance isn't enough.  But then in verse 31, he raises the bar by fleshing out a bit of what the Father wants.  This seems to be the culmination of his teaching ministry.  So a couple of years ago, I worked up a rough approximation of what I think he may say today (in addition to the topic in the original teaching). Here's a possible update of Matthew 25: Verses 35 and 36 I was lonely, and you befriended me, I was born into a cycle of poverty, violence, and despair and you invested your life in me and brought me out, I was born in a fragile land and you taught us how to care for it, I was abused and you stood with me, I was born under an oppressive government and you fought your governments support of it and stood with me, I was born in a violent land and you stood with me for peace, I needed work and you sent fair labor, I walked the mountains and you joined me to enjoy God's beauty, I was sick and poor and you lobbied to provide insurance to save me, I moved into your neighborhood and you welcomed me, I was broken and you asked how you could help me today. And the king would respond to those sent away: I was lonely, and you only had time for your TV, I was born into a cycle of poverty, violence, and despair and you avoided me, I was born in a fragile land and your pollution destroyed my home and brought famine and drought, I was abused and you looked the other way, I was born under an oppressive government and yours supported it further your fortunes, I was born in a violent land and you brought war, I needed work and you supported sweatshop labor, I walked the mountains and you stripped to tops of them to fuel your lifestyle, I was sick and poor and you left me to die in an overcrowded emergency room, I moved into your neighborhood and you moved out, I was broken and you said that all will be better in heaven. "Whatever you did to the least of these..." From my blog at http://menemenetekeltoday.blogspot.com/2010/11/matthew-25-modernized.html

Matthew 25, Modernized
A while back, I shared these thoughts with my church.

It is interesting that there are two sermons on mounts that bookend Jesus’ ministry.  The classic sermon on the mount really launches he teaching,  But just before the cross, there is a sermon on the Mount of Olives that seems to build higher and higher as he draws his listeners in.  In chapter 24, he starts getting his listeners ready to think of ends and being prepared for judgement.  Then in chapter 25, he starts on a series of parables that each dig deeper.  The parable of the Bridesmaids is pushing them to be ready.  The parable of the talents goes deeper, saying in effect that its not enough to just don’t do anything wrong.  Instead, success is found in also doing things (the work of the Father) right.  Sin avoidance isn’t enough.  But then in verse 31, he raises the bar by fleshing out a bit of what the Father wants.  This seems to be the culmination of his teaching ministry.  So a couple of years ago, I worked up a rough approximation of what I think he may say today (in addition to the topic in the original teaching).

Here’s a possible update of Matthew 25:

Verses 35 and 36
I was lonely, and you befriended me,
I was born into a cycle of poverty, violence, and despair and you invested your life in me and brought me out,
I was born in a fragile land and you taught us how to care for it,
I was abused and you stood with me,
I was born under an oppressive government and you fought your governments support of it and stood with me,
I was born in a violent land and you stood with me for peace,
I needed work and you sent fair labor,
I walked the mountains and you joined me to enjoy God’s beauty,
I was sick and poor and you lobbied to provide insurance to save me,
I moved into your neighborhood and you welcomed me,
I was broken and you asked how you could help me today.

And the king would respond to those sent away:
I was lonely, and you only had time for your TV,
I was born into a cycle of poverty, violence, and despair and you avoided me,
I was born in a fragile land and your pollution destroyed my home and brought famine and drought,
I was abused and you looked the other way,
I was born under an oppressive government and yours supported it further your fortunes,
I was born in a violent land and you brought war,
I needed work and you supported sweatshop labor,
I walked the mountains and you stripped to tops of them to fuel your lifestyle,
I was sick and poor and you left me to die in an overcrowded emergency room,
I moved into your neighborhood and you moved out,
I was broken and you said that all will be better in heaven.

“Whatever you did to the least of these…”

]]> By: sarah conrad yoder http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/#comment-1661 sarah conrad yoder Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:06:38 +0000 http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/?p=1146#comment-1661 Nice devotional, Karina! What a great surprise to see your face and read your devotional this morning! Nice devotional, Karina! What a great surprise to see your face and read your devotional this morning!

]]> By: Mary K. Mishler http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/nov-25-doing-good-unto-the-least-of-these/#comment-1660 Mary K. Mishler Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:52:34 +0000 http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/?p=1146#comment-1660 Thanks Karina for sharing your thoughtss. Inspiring! Sometimes I"m tempted to think that my enemies are so far away that what I think and do is unimportant. You challenge me to remove my dark glasses and see who is standing on my doorstep. Thanks Karina for sharing your thoughtss. Inspiring! Sometimes I”m tempted to think that my enemies are so far away that what I think and do is unimportant. You challenge me to remove my dark glasses and see who is standing on my doorstep.

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