This weekend I’m preaching on the text that creates the greatest amount of angst within my own soul. C.S. Lewis is reported to have said that it wasn’t the parts of the Bible that he did not understand that concerned him most, it was the parts of the Bible he did understand that concerned him most. Well, Matthew 25:31-41 is one of those passages. I don’t think it is difficult to understand just to live out–especially in the suburbs where we work so hard to insulate ourselves and our children from the perceived dangers of city living. In addition to preaching this passage I made the “mistake” of picking up Shane Claiborne’s book, “The Irresistible Revolution: living as an ordinary radical.” It is wrecking me. All that to say it’s going to be a great Sunday! When God stretches me I have to grapple whether I will truly be a Christ-follower or just one who watches Jesus from a distance. Jesus did not call us to care simply by giving away our surplus goods he invited us to be in relationship with him and with each. True community, true caring is relational first and material second. Claiborne writes that the point of generosity is not how much we give away but how much we keep for ourselves. That statement can be applies materially but it can also be applied relationally. Caring, true caring is more about time than it is about stuff. Jesus gave what he had. He passed on the reality of God his father and he gave of himself–what could be more vital than giving ourselves, our time, our friendship?
It’s going to be a great Sunday!
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