Seeking and Serving Christ in All Persons

Last month I was able to take part in a meeting of ACNA leaders who are involved in “Matthew 25” ministries. In Matthew 25:31-46, of course, we hear the powerful words of Jesus regarding the “sheep and goats.” Rooted in images from Ezekiel 34, Jesus speaks of nations being judged based on their treatment of “the least of these,” specifically the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the foreigner, the sick, and those in prison. Jesus goes so far as to say that, whatever we do (or don’t do!) to “the least of these,” we’ve done (or not done!) to him. Jesus calls “the least of these” his brothers and sisters.

You can read more about the ACNA’s Matthew 25 Initiative, and the recent gathering here.

In our baptismal vows, we commit to “seek and serve Christ in all persons.” This promise is rooted in Matthew 25, trusting that as we serve those around us, we’re serving Christ himself. Mother Teresa famously spoke of “Seeing and adoring the presence of Jesus, especially in the lowly appearance of bread, and in the distressing disguise of the poor.” In the same vein, N.T. Wright has said that we meet Jesus primarily in four ways: scripture, prayer, the sacraments, and the faces of the poor.

I believe that, as we develop intimacy with Jesus, we’ll find ourselves increasingly drawn to vulnerable people, and I’m so thankful that the ACNA is beginning to emphasize the importance of ministry to those most vulnerable members of our society, who, importantly, continue to be the hungry, the sick, foreigners, and prisoners. We might also add the unborn, women and children in abusive or unstable situations, the mentally ill, and the elderly.

In our zeal to bring people to faith in Christ and start new churches, it might be easy to neglect ministry to the vulnerable. But when we do, we find that we’re neglecting Jesus himself, thus missing all that he has for us.

As we continue to grow as a congregation, I believe that a sign of health is our commitment to the most vulnerable divine image-bearers. Our emerging partnership with Lemonade International, our commitment to the Anglican Relief and Development Fund, and our work locally with both the homeless and refugees is incredibly encouraging.

As we reflect on this, my hope and prayer is that we’d desire more and more of Jesus – or, as Paul said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). As we get closer to Jesus, we’ll inevitably find ourselves getting closer to the most vulnerable members of our society. I’m hoping and praying that we’d be open to embracing our Lord in surprising, heartbreaking, and beautiful ways.

Peace,

Chris