Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners who live among you, or anyone else in need.
MATTHEW 25:34-35 (CEB)
Then the king will say to those on his right, "Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
THE ESSENCE
Any system under the influence of Jesus will prioritize the basic care of marginalized people.
DAILY FODDER
Wait a minute, this sounds a lot like the Daily Texts from yesterday. Indeed, some of the Matthew text is the same. But it shouldn't surprise us that this theme of caring for the poor and marginalized comes up so often. We often gloss over it when we read but this is a major recurring theme in the Bible, and a central aspect of Jesus' gospel.
PRAYER
Compassionate God, I'm grateful that you care so deeply for hurting and marginalized people. I confess that I'm more judgmental than caring. "If they’d only do such and such they wouldn't have these problems." Deliver me from this kind of judgmental indifference. Give me a heart for the weak and vulnerable. I want to reflect your compassion through my life. Amen.
Our Father in Heaven,
we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
so that everything that happens here will align
with what is happening in heaven.
and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.
