“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 NIV
I found myself yesterday in a situation that I never thought I would be in during this short life. I was at a Chik-fil-a sitting across from a man accused of a sexual predatory act, whose guilt or innocence only he, God and the possible victim know for sure.
Transparently, I did not know how to prepare, what to say, how to encourage. So I prayed as I drove. I prayed as I met him. I prayed internally while we spoke. I prayed as we left. Prayer. The Father heard my prayers and carried me.
“For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’” Matthew 25:42-43
As I met this man, the sinful illusion of a monster gave way to a man, broken by the allegations against him. A man sharing with me his current existence of isolation from fellow humans, spending as much as 16 hours a day in prayer and Bible study. A man who is God’s son. A man that the Creator planned before time began. A brother in Christ. Accused. Isolated. Lonely. Broken. Finding hope and promise from his Father in Heaven as he is treated like a leper that we read about in the Old Testament. An outcast with genuine hope in a World full of outcasts…if not for those crazy, too good to comprehend, too valuable to be able to buy, too Holy to be able to recreate; those two precious promises from Jesus called Grace and Mercy.
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'” Matthew 25:44-45
So as we talked and as his heart emerged, I mourned for and loved my brother in Christ. I encouraged him that whether guilty or innocent (I do not know), his identity is in Christ Jesus. I encouraged him that this time of isolation was not a waste based upon his testimony of growth, surrender and dependence on the Father. I encouraged him that his hearing the Holy Spirit for the first time was an amazing gift that he should cherish. I encouraged him that as God’s man, there is purpose and honor in doing what is right in the face of evil and brokenness. I encouraged him that he is loved by the Creator, and that is more than sufficient. I encouraged him that in the face of rejection, the Father would not reject his son who had surrendered his life to Jesus. I encouraged.
As we spoke, Matthew 25 raged in my mind. I was convicted beyond explanation as to who am I, a broken man, forgiven and empowered by the Son of God, appointed by the Almighty God, emboldened by the presence of the Holy Spirit to judge this man? I was and remain convicted that “knowing” the truth was not my place. That being “judicious” was not my role. That “healing” this man was not mine to do. My job was to represent the hope that is Jesus by loving this man as Christ’s loves the Church. So I chose faith, hope and love.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Thank you, Father, that I can simply love without the burden of judge, jury and executioner. Thank you for Grace and Mercy. Develop in me a heart that reflects the grace and mercy of your love that exceeds all understanding.
To my brother in Christ. I love you. I am praying for you. Be bold. Do what is right. Stand firm.
“My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 CEV
You’ve got this.