"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 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. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 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.'" (Matt. 25:31-40 ESV)
The weather was cold, but the smiles were warm. The worship was sincere and God honoring. Even a broken guitar string could not stop the voices and hearts of these people who had gathered for the purpose of glorifying God and serving their neighbor. This is not an area of Fort Worth that I had ever frequented. In fact, this is the kind of neighborhood that many folks would avoid or make sure their car doors were locked as they quickly drove through this area close to downtown. When we pulled up we saw people sleeping on the sidewalk and many others milling about with everything they owned strapped to their backs or shoved into carts. These people were homeless, cold and hungry. It doesn't really matter what circumstances brought them to this place in life, for a lecture about getting off drugs or drink and getting a job will not fill their bellies tonight. They need food and they need Jesus.
Looking into the faces of the people who were taking their plates of pizza, salad, cookies and soft drinks, I saw myself. These people are made in the image of God just like me. They have dreams and desires for their lives and their families as I have. I know what it is to have your dreams smashed by the toils of this world and because of my sinful choices. I understand addiction, for it almost destroyed me. Still there are many differences between us. I have never gone hungry, unless I was on a diet. I have always had a roof over my head and a bed on which to lay down at night. I have two cars that I can drive and discretionary funds with which I can buy things that I want and not just what I need. The greatest need we all share is to know the liberating grace of God found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The cross is the great equalizer, for it the only hope that humanity has for escaping the wrath of God upon sin. These people don't need pity, they need compassion directed to both their physical and spiritual needs. That is why we came here.
As satisfying as it was to be here in person serving, it was an absolute joy to have my wife, daughter and two of our grandchildren here as well. Both Christian and Destiny took part in passing out food and plates to the area's residents. When a family arrived late, and the pizza was already gone, they gave their extra slices to them on their own initiative. As we left, Christian saw some of the people bedding down for the night and was concerned for how cold they were going to be throughout the night. Here in the words of an eight year old boy was the concern and compassion that should resonate in the hearts of all those who claim to be followers of Jesus. Our Lord said, when we have served the "least of these" we have done it unto Him, which means that Jesus was sleeping in the park last night in the cold. What will you do?
