11/17/2016 FEEDING THE HUNGRY
MATTHEW 25:31-35, 37, 40 “When the SON OF MAN comes in HIS glory, and all the angels with HIM, HE will sit on HIS throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before HIM, and HE will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. HE will put the sheep on HIS right and the goats on HIS left. Then the KING will say to those on HIS right, ‘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….’ Then the righteous will answer HIM, ‘LORD, when did we see YOU hungry and feed YOU, or thirsty and give YOU something to drink....’ “The KING will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers [or sisters] of MINE, you did for ME. [New International translation]
Summary: The teachings of JESUS make it clear that we have a duty to feed the hungry. The verses in Matthew chapter 25 emphasize that our sense of duty to feed the hungry should have the same weight as if we were feeding JESUS HIMSELF.
Imagine JESUS coming to your house for Thanksgiving dinner. Think of all the preparation. Image all the planning you would put into the meal. No doubt you would shop at the best stores. Serve the highest quality food you could find. No amount would be too much to spend.
Now consider how campaigns to feed the hungry actually occur in our cities, our churches and communities. When we donate food for the hungry, do we donate the best goods in our pantries or just the unwanted and older goods? Do we bring food “fit for a KING” or just grab “something.” Do we spend more time over the food we feed pets than over the donated food we provide our hungry neighbors, living in tents, on the sidewalks or in shelters, in need?
JESUS commands that we treat the hungry the way we would treat HIM.