FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2020
(Part 45)
LOVE OF NEIGHBOR
March 2, 2020
Today’s readings:
Leviticus 19:1-18
Psalm 19:8-15
Matthew 25:31-46
God calls His people to holiness. “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” (Lv 19:2b). To this end, God gave His people various laws through Moses. These laws were intended to let them know God’s ways and to keep them on track. For us as well, to remain founded on Rock, we are to listen to and act on God’s words.
What does the Bible, the very word of God, testify about itself? “The law of the Lord is perfect” (Ps 19:8a). In this psalm, the word of God is referred to in various ways—law, decree, precepts, command, statutes. In whatever way it is described, the word of God is trustworthy, right, clear, pure, enduring forever, true, just (Ps 19:8-10). What the word of God does is to refresh the soul, give wisdom, rejoice the heart, enlighten the eye (Ps 19:8-9). Is it any wonder then that the word of God is “more desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold, sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb” (Ps 19:11)?
Obeying the words of God brings godly wisdom. For example, we know we are to love God, but do we know we are to love our neighbor as well? Many have no problem loving God, but many do not manifest love for neighbor, especially the poor. So the Israelites were told to act accordingly. They were to leave gleanings for the poor when they harvest (Lv 19:9-10), not exploit their neighbor, especially the poor daily laborer (Lv 19:13), not put down the deaf or blind (Lv 19:14). But it was not just about the poor, but about all their brethren in the Lord. So they were not to steal or deceive or be dishonest or slander or hate or take revenge or cherish a grudge (Lv 19:11,15-18). Simply put, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Lv 19:18b).
Now notice that God, in giving such instructions, was always saying, “I am the Lord.” These were not just about wise instructions, but about the very commands of God. They would define the people’s relationship with God. And such is crucial to our well-being, both spiritual and communal. Obeying the words of God brings not evil but good.
Now Jesus took it a step further. He not only was the God who gave instructions regarding our treatment of the poor, but he took on the very person of the poor. Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Mt 25:35-36). Those who heard him were confused. Lord, when did that happen? (Mt 25:37-39). And Jesus answered, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:40).
The above was in the setting of Jesus talking about the judgment of the nations. At that time, there will be one criterion on whether one will inherit eternal life or go off to eternal punishment (Mt 25:46). It is what one does or does not do to the least of Jesus’ brethren.
Given that there is much injustice in the world and the poor continue to be oppressed, would there be many among Christians who would not make it to eternal life? To not act on God’s words leads to collapse, but acting on God’s words leads to salvation. “By them your servant is warned; obeying them brings much reward.” (Ps 19:12).
So we need to be built on the Rock that is Christ. “Then shall I be blameless, innocent of grave sin.” (Ps 19:14b). Then we can rightly claim that Jesus is “Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Ps 19:15b).
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