Why does Jesus tell this story if his
resurrection is going to mean saving grace for all people? If believing in God’s
work in Christ is enough to avoid hell, then why do the “goats” get sent to an
eternal punishment? And why does Jesus say something so political- prisons,
feeding people, strangers, naked people?
Clearly, a life in the Way of Christ consists
of more than intellectual assent to who and what Jesus is in history, in the
Trinity, and in one’s own life. The faithful life is one of constant and
ever-renewing response to God’s outpouring of grace and mercy since the
beginning of time, made evident and open to all in Jesus the Christ. It is not
enough to say “I believe.” It is not even enough to show how you believe. There is never enough because we cannot match God’s
love. We cannot earn it. We cannot show that we would have been deserving if
God had just waited. We received it, before we were born, before our parents,
before the greatest in our family lines… when our ancestors in the faith were
still sinners- God’s love was still at its fullest, compelling response in the
shape of loving our neighbors.
There are many who argue in both directions
as to the reality of hell and who is there (if anyone) and who is going (if
anyone). Without stepping into that mud here, let us acknowledge that it is a
biblical reality that we will be called upon to answer for our time and talents
in the life to come. Even when receiving forgiveness and eternal peace from the
throne, it will arguably be a kind of hell to have to say, “No, I pretended not
to see the person who asked me for help. Yes, I expected people who were in
prison would have gotten aid from someone else. True, I thought that someone
else would feed “those” people. No, I did not welcome him because I was afraid
of him- even though I did not know him…” We have to hold these gaps in our
faith practice lightly, letting go of them as we have received forgiveness for
them and as we ask the Holy Spirit to correct our course and behavior.
Lastly, the gospel is a political document.
It deals with how individuals and groups are to govern themselves and one
another. Guidelines for how to carry one’s self in close community (the church)
and in the world are, by their very nature, political. However, as Jesus gives
us these guidelines, he also imparts healing and hope to go with them. He
expects that those who follow these rules will not privilege one group over
another in either direction, but will clothe the naked and bring them to table
to dine with the over-dressed. Jesus expects that those who imitate him will
bring together the guard and the prisoner into conversation, so that each sees
the other as human. Jesus pioneers the pathway for the one who wishes to
welcome a stranger and introduce her to the long-time establishment, so that
they may learn from one another and perceive security in each other.
This, beloveds, is the work to which we are
called. And it cannot wait.
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