And the king will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.  -Matthew 25:40

A few years ago, pop singer Joan Osborne famously sang, "What If God were one of us, a slob like one of us?"   Look around right now.  Could God be among us slobs you encounter this week? It's an intriguing, perhaps scary, perhaps exciting proposition. 
 
Matthew 25 raises such a question, as it suggests that as we treat others, especially those often ignored and overlooked, the down and out, it is as if we are treating God himself. How do we measure up to this standard?  Do we serve others in order to gain favor with God, or do we serve others very simply because that is a natural expression of who we are?  Are our lives marked by actions of care for the "least of these"?  Or to put more crudely, are you a sheep or are you a goat?
 
We'll consider these questions and more in my sermon this Sunday as we look at Jesus' last "sermon" according to the gospel of Matthew.  If Jesus saved this one for last, then surely it's one he wants his followers to remember!  Bring a friend to church, especially one who has no church home.  Better yet, come join us this weekend as we seek to be faithful to Jesus' call upon us in this story, at either of our two mission experiences, Saturday as we volunteer at the Atlanta Community Food Bank (from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., bring closed-toe shoes and lunch money for the Varsity) and Sunday as we serve the homeless at First Presbyterian Atlanta (5:45-9:15 a.m. - you can even make it back for the early service!). 

Prayer for Today
 
Help us, O God, to be faithful and to serve others, especially those less fortunate than we.  Amen.