The Least of These

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. 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, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 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.’ (Matthew 25:34-40 ESV). One of my favorite Christmas stories is about the old shoe cobbler who dreamed one Christmas Eve that Jesus would come to visit him the next day. The dream was so real that he was convinced it would come true. So the next morning he got up, went out and cut green boughs, decorating his little cobbler shop, getting everything ready for Jesus to come. He was so sure that Jesus was going to come that he just sat down and waited for Him. The hours passed and Jesus didn't come. But an old man came. He came inside for a moment to get warm out of the winter cold. As the cobbler talked with him he noticed the holes in the old man's shoes, so he reached up on the shelf, getting him a new pair of shoes. He made sure they fit, that his socks were dry, and sent him on his way. Still he waited. But he still didn’t see Jesus come. An old woman came. She was a woman who hadn't had a decent meal in two days. They sat and visited for a while as he prepared some food for her to eat. He gave her a nourishing meal and sent her on her way. He wondered how long it would take for Jesus to come. He knew the Lord was busy and gave it no further thought as he sat down again to wait for Jesus. But Jesus still didn't come. Then he heard a little boy crying out in front of his shop. He went out and talked with the boy. He discovered that the boy had been separated from his parents. He was lost and couldn’t find his way. So he put on his coat, took the boy by the hand and led him safely home. When he came back to his little shoe shop it was almost dark; the streets were emptied of people. And then in a moment of despair he lifted his voice to heaven, saying, "Oh Lord Jesus, why didn't you come?" And then in a moment of silence he seemed to hear a voice saying, "Oh shoe cobbler, lift up your heart. I kept my word. Three times I knocked at your friendly door. Three times my shadow fell across your floor. I was the man with the bruised feet. I was the woman you gave to eat. I was the boy on the homeless street." Jesus had come. The cobbler just didn't realize it. Think about the people who cross your path, especially at this time of the year. They really are Jesus. How would he have you greet Him this day? Even the least of them are represented in his heart and mind.