Today is the commemoration of Martin of Tours, Pastor.
Today's readings are Psalm 143:1-10, Jeremiah 23:21-40, and Matthew 25:31-46.
How can we describe our service to the Lord? Jesus' words in the Gospel reading today have been taken amiss. Let's look again at Matthew 25:40. "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me" (ESV). This verse has been used to defend all sorts of social gospel movements in which people, often Christians, have gone to poverty-stricken countries and provided food, clean water, clothing and shelter to people who are less fortunate than themselves. This provision for the poor is good. It's necessary. But we don't want to confuse it for a proclamation of the Gospel. Do we feed the hungry in Jesus' name? Then let us do it in Jesus' name, proclaiming that he is the source of all our daily bread. Do we give thirsty people drink in the name of Jesus? Then let us proclaim that he is the one who, as we believe on him, we will have streams of living water. Do we clothe the poor? Then let us do it while telling them that Jesus clothes all who believe on him with his robe of perfect righteousness, a garment which will never wear out. As we go and serve the needy in the name of the Lord, let us be sure we are doing it in his name, not simply as a social service, but as motivated by the Gospel.
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