judgement

Today's passage (Matt. 25:34-40) is another of those teachings of Jesus that always makes me a little uneasy. The separation of the righteous from the unrighteous. The judgement of the good and the bad. The decision that determines where you end up - heaven or hell.

Jesus talks about the righteous helping those who are in need. Clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, visiting the prisoner. Whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Jesus. Passages like this remind me that I'm not doing enough. I have not clothed a naked person (yes, I've given old clothes to the Salvation Army, but you'd be hard-pressed to find any naked people roaming the streets in the middle of a Winnipeg winter). I don't remember the last time I welcomed a stranger (yes, I welcome new TYNers, but they're not exactly strangers, are they?). I don't care for the sick (yes, I have taken care of my grandparents when they are not feeling well and have many times brought flowers or food for my friend who was all but living in the hospital for a while there, but that's stuff that I would do anyway). And I've never visited anyone in prison (okay, I have a friend who's dad is in prison (wrongfully, I might add) and I care for her, but again, something I would do anyway).

I notice my familiar theme again - 'I'm not doing enough'. As though my salvation depends on the things I do. I know better. I'm smarter than that. I know there's nothing I can 'do' to make God love me any more or any less.

And yet, I still feel inadequate. I could go out and do all the things that Jesus instructs - but somehow, I know I would be doing it just to make myself feel better.

One of the things that really struck me in this verse today was when Jesus describes the response of the righteous. They didn't know they had done all these things. They just did them because it's something they would do anyway. Almost like when Jesus points these things out to them, it's the first time they've heard of it. "When did we do all of that?" they wonder.

It makes me realize that righteousness is not earned. Instead, it flows out of relationship with God. It arises out of the understanding of what Jesus' death and resurrection really means. Righteousness does not mean 'doing' good things all the time; that's the kind of behaviour Jesus raged agains in the bible. Doing good things for the sake of appearing good.

Rather, righteousness is a shift in personality and attitude that God grants us when we accept Jesus into our hearts. We do good works not because we want to look good but because it's something we would do anyway. It's part of who we are. It's part of the new creation that God has made in us through the death and resurrection of his son.

I think I need to think about that more this lent, since I'm trying to give up my need to do things. Why do I need to do so much? Is it to make myself look good or is it because that's who I am?

Definitely a point to ponder...