Matthew 15:34

“Come, you are blessed by my father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”

Thus opens Jesus’ final story or parable before his death, that is, according to Matthew.

In a sense, it reminds all who hear of the theme of many of Jesus stories. In summary.  The end comes. Judgment is pronounced.  Human compassion toward others matters and is rewarded.

Once again Jesus speaks of the Kingdom. “The Kingdom prepared for you.” v 34  This kingdom has a simple ethic.  Jesus explains, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” Do I read this correctly?   Feed God?

The King will say…I was hungry…I was thirsty…I was a stranger…I needed clothes…I was in prison.” v 35, 36  That is what is written!  The citizens of his kingdom do all these things because the spirit of the King is in them.

But what does what is written mean?  I do not hear it as a command. I think it describes what the citizens of the new kingdom do.  They feed the hungry, etc. without really knowing that they are feeding the King!  If I read this correctly, the King or the spirit of the King is somehow in his people.

This puts an entirely new slant of charity. It is done simply to help others, without any thought about reward.  The spirit of wanting to help is IN a person. As they feed others they, unwittingly, “feed” the King.  I find this hard to understand but it is at the very heart of this penetrating parable of Jesus Christ.

Feel the power of the King’s statement. “I will tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” v 40.  When we meet the needs of the needy because we are born again of the Spirit of God, we simply help others.  That is what the Spirit urges and enables us to do.

If I read this correctly, the poor are the king’s brothers!  Amazing.  I must drink this cup, slowly.