Dear Rose Park,
My older brother Kyle lives in Omaha, NE. My oldest brother Matt lives in Bronxville, NY. Matt and I would both tell you Kyle is the better athlete and student of the three boys. Kyle was also the most creative. Though he might tell you differently, Kyle is an artist. During seminary, he gave me a small piece of art as a gift. It’s a picture of a homeless man with the words, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat” printed in the corner. I still have this picture. It’s hanging in my workshop.
In a section that most bibles have entitled “The Sheep and Goats,” we hear these words from the Gospel of Matthew:
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “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: 35-40
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. These are tremendously powerful words and they should spur us towards action. The Church, regardless of denomination or location, should be working alongside advocacy groups to provide food for the hungry, clean water to those in need of a drink, hospitality towards strangers, clothing for the naked, and care for the prisoner.
But these words should also cause us to pause and consider the motivation for our action. In other words, why are we serving the least of these? Are we serving and helping for the sake of serving and helping? Or are we serving with hidden agendas and self-serving motivations? The late pastor and theologian, Tim Keller explains this by holding in tension the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Keller writes:
Elder brothers may do good to others, but not out of delight in the deeds themselves or for the love of people or the pleasure of God. They are not really feeding the hungry and clothing the poor, they are feeding and clothing themselves. The heart’s fundamental self-centeredness is not only kept intact but nurtured by fear-based moralism. - The Prodigal God, pg. 70
Here at Rose Park we desire to connect, empower, and reconcile. We desire to do these things for the glory of God and for the love of His people. We are not trying to merely connect, empower, and reconcile for ourselves and continue a cycle of profound self-centeredness. This is all to say, join us. Join us in our efforts to serve our community, not for the sake of our own benefit, but for the glory of God and to make His name known.
Grace & Peace,
