Serving the Least

Last Sunday i rode out to Ravinia to see John Legend. I enjoy his music. He has rich voice and a good presentation. He writes a lot of his own songs. Early in the show he spoke of his grandmother who raised him. He shared about how early in lift he used his gifts to play piano and direct the choir at his grandmothers church.He said she was no longer with him. She had gone on home to be with the Lord.

Then he said that he want to sing a song just for her. The piano chords were familiar so I leaned in to listen and he started singing

When you're weary Feeling small When tears are in your eyes I'll dry them all I'm on your side Oh, when times get rough And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down

Now this wasn’t the Aretha Franklin version. You know Aretha rearranged this song.

You know Aretha had those great back up singers opening with

Don’t Trouble the Waters

I won't (leave it alone) (Why don't you, why don't you, let it be?) (Still water run deep... yes, it do) I know that (whoa, oh-oh-yeah) If you only believe

When you're down and out When you're on the street When evening falls so hard I will comfort you I'll take your part Oh, when darkness comes And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down

Now I am not hear to debate the better version. It was was written by Paul Simon and performed originally performed by Simon and Garfunkel.

Many artist have covered this great song such as Roberta Flack, even Elvis Presley but its these lyrics that resonates with my soul.

I evoke this songs because its our responsibility to be that same bridge over trouble waters for the least of them. See trouble waters are grave situations of hunger, thirst, homelessness, sickness, imprisonment.

Its in Matthew 25 that Jesus present three parabales liken to the Kingdom of Heaven.

First he talks about preparation. 5 wise virgins vs 5 foolish.

Secondly he talks about stewardship and trust. 3 servants presented with talents. 5 2 and 1.

Thirdly he speaks of ministering. All three goals are achievable to those who trust God and due his will.

Then its here he talks about the sheep and the goats. As the wheat and tares grow together and the Lord will do the separating. The sheep and the goat live together and the Lord will again do the separating.

Jesus uses these words to express who will be on his right. His sheep or those on the left the goats. 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. (Mt 25:31–36). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The righteous said Lord when dis we have opportunity to do those thing? Jesus what you have done to the least of them you have done unto to me.

Say what? When we feed the hungry and visit the sick and and see about those in prison we are liken to do it unto the Lord.

I believe many miss that. We are ministering to Jesus each time we do such things. He is keeping an account of our activities. When when we ignore our obligation to minister we are ignoring Jesus.

How can we be followers or Christ and and forget that we have an requirement to minister to the least of them. This is the basis of my Social Justice work. I rather tire out giving and serving than be said I gathered up wealth to my self.

When you're weary Feeling small

When tears are in your eyes I'll dry them all

I'm on your side Oh, when times get rough

And friends just can't be found

So Jesus challenges us to stretch ourselves to be bridges. Yes Bridges of hope, Bridges of peace, Bridges of comfort, Bridges of Love.

I notice something in this text.

The Bridge makers will Inherit the Kingdom of God

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world . (Mt 25:34).

Yes Jesus said Come who are blessed. We who will inherit the kingdom have something in common we care. We care for the least. We show love and understand the assignment. And for that we have a destination.

It was David who said in Psalm 37:22-25,

For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth;

And they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD:

And he delighteth in his way.

24  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:

For the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

25  I have been young, and now am old;

Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,

Nor his seed begging bread. (Ps 37:22–25).

Yesterday I said that John 14 promises that Jesus has prepared a place for us.

This is a message we need to share we will inherit a a kingdom prepared just for us!

Second we must seek opportunity to minister

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. (Mt 25:35–36).

Jesus is saying look around and see the need. Its in Isaiah 58 we learn

“Is not this the fast that I choose:

to loose the bonds of wickedness,

to undo the straps of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke?

7  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry

and bring the homeless poor into your house;

when you see the naked, to cover him, (Is 58:6–7).

That’s when the Lord notices our work. Isaiah went on to say

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;

you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

If you take away the yoke from your midst,

the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

10  if you pour yourself out for the hungry

and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

then shall your light rise in the darkness

and your gloom be as the noonday. (Is 58:9–10).

Jesus notices your efforts

Many times we do gestures of kindness and mercy with no audiences

40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (Mt 25:40). The question was asked when did we have minister to you Lord? What you done to the least of them. Jesus will not forget your ministering.

Its the last verse of this powerful song that gives me the most encouragement. Its not the when your weary and feeling small. or even when times get rough. Its not when your down and out and on the street.

Yes I can hear Christ saying I will comfort you I will take your part.

Its the verse that tells me to go forward.

Sail on silver girl Sail on by Your time has come to shine All your dreams are on their way See how they shine Oh, if you need a friend I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind