“The Least of These” & Throwing Stones at Jesus

We’ve been on a “Cherished & Challenged” roll for two years, so why stop now, right? I love you, ladies, from the bottom of my heart. And I love your heart and passion for Jesus. It’s truly beautiful and so awe inspiring. But, (yes, there’s a but in today’s post…) some of you girls be throwing stones like you’re a modern-day David waging war against Goliath.

You see or hear something that you don’t agree with and your righteous anger roars. You are practically begging God to call you into battle. Bless Goliath’s heart, you got this. You’re ready to tell this person exactly what needs to be done and how to do it. This is a Holy moment, by golly. And you are a Holy warrior. You know exactly how to handle this situation. Imma set down my sweet tea and pick up my sword and take this wretched sucker out! Don’t worry God… I got this one. You picked the right girl for the job! (Did I go too far? Please hear my playfulness here – I’m not mocking.)

Can we laugh together about this moment? Can I hug you? Can we just embrace the fact that there’s a little bit of all of us in this overly exaggerated description? If you feel like I’m making fun, I’m not. Maybe I’m being a little lighthearted, but here’s the thing:

I understand your passionate need to defend Jesus. I have often found myself in the same head and heart-space. In fact, I used to think that “righteous anger” was justified. I used to hold it against people, *knowing* I was in the right and they were in the wrong. And here’s the real kicker: I used to put myself on a pedestal and feel like God didn’t hold my judgement against me because I was just being a faithful warrior for Him. Whew! Whoa! Talk about pride, right? Yikes. It hurts just admitting all that. But there’s a truth that I was missing – A piece of His heart that I had overlooked – and it needed to be addressed in me…

God may have handled things “old school” in the Old Testament, BUT that doesn’t give me the right to handle things “old school” today (in my thoughts, actions, judgement, or otherwise). Why? Because Jesus came to this world and broke the old. He shed His blood and replaced the old way of handling things with the new: New path. New ways. New instructions.

Ah! Wait, what? New instructions? What are you talking about?

Yes, friend. New Instructions.

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” (Jesus) said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

But who is my neighbor, Shannon? it’s not just those that agree with you. Not just your friends. Not just your same denomination. Not even just those who love Jesus. It’s all His children – from the prodigal to the pastor, the addict to the missionary, and so on and so on. Your Neighbor = All His children.

But, Shannon, aren’t I loving them, just with a tough love? I don’t know, my friend. I don’t know your circumstance. That’s between you and God, but here’s the thing…

I’m going to suggest something here. It’s something you may not agree with, but that’s okay. I’m okay with being different.

Jesus said that the way you treat the least of these is the way that you treat Him. In the example He gave, we see the poor, the needy, the hungry, the children. But I’m going to stretch you a bit…

If we are all God’s children, then you know that *in His eyes*, there are no true “least of these” right?

So then, what if we pushed outside of how we have always accepted and interpreted this verse and asked ourselves, “Who is MY ‘least of these’?”

Who is it the hardest for me to love?

Who is it the hardest for me to pour grace?

Who do I struggle to see through the lenses of my Father?

Because here’s the thing – THAT PERSON is His child as well.

That, my friend, is your “least of these.”

Truth: It’s easy for us to feed and clothe the poor and needy. In fact, we get all the good feels for doing it. It’s a win, win! (Let’s be honest here.) When it comes to the poor and needy, it’s easy for us to extend the love and grace of Jesus. But, girl…

How do you treat *your* least of these?

Because how you treat them is how you treat Jesus.

Whew. Ouch, am I right?

I’m not judging here, friend. I’ve had to have this talk with myself a lot lately. My “least of these” is not easy for me to love. In fact, I catch myself often throwing stones at them in my thoughts and heart. But, in doing so…

Are we throwing stones at Jesus?

I know. This hurts. What you’re suggesting, Shannon… It can’t be right? It’s just not okay.

I hear you and I feel it. Something roars up inside that pushes against the very suggestion. But hear my heart…

Let this message settle, then give it to God.

Stop throwing stones – with your words, actions, approach, thoughts, spirit – and start asking God to heal that place inside of you so that you can love *them* better.

Start fighting evil with love – His love.

Because when you sit in the same space with that person, and you carry God’s love and grace instead of judgement, something powerful and supernatural happens.

You see, evil has no solid foundation. Evil can’t hold weight in the Presence of God. When God comes near evil, when the very Presence of God threatens to touch it, evil cowers and runs.

TRUTH IS REVEALED in the Presence of the One who brings authentic love, peace, hope, and understanding. And that person can feel it, touch it, and experience it, maybe even for the first time.

It’s not like, “Do you prefer Pepsi or Coke?”

It’s like, “I want you to feel Him through me so that you know truth and the truth can set you free.”

And that can only happen when we drop our stones (even in our thoughts, friends – IT HAS TO BE GENUINE – A healing in us) and we pick up and carry what we were always meant to bring into battle –

Him and His heart.

Whew! Tuesday morning sermon over here! Love you guys! Have an amazing week!

– Shannon