The Least of These

I had never really considered this idea of reaching the "least of these." As a pastor, my concept of ministry was reaching out to all people. Yet Jesus was very specific with who and what and who he was a part of. He did not minister and preach to the religious people of his day. He brought Jesus to them.

That really got me to thinking about the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus came to set up. This Kingdom was the church, God's kingdom. As the people of his Kingdom, are we good stewards of what we do. Our King spent a lot of time with the people who did not know him and the people that needed him. Shouldn't our church reflect that? Our building even on Sunday morning should be welcoming to the "Least of Theses." Our ministries should be targeting the sick, homeless, poor, broken, drug afflicted, you name it.

I have to say, my heart is confused by how this looks and what it entales. Yet, at the same time, my heart is repentant for not seeing this better. How could I have missed this? Starting in a couple of weeks I am going to spend some time preaching through a few of the Parables of Jesus. I want to hammer the idea of community through the heart and narrative of God. To spark a church that is more than a community group, but a church that cares for its community. A church that finds its significance in the their relationship with God and understands that relationship so well that it becomes a part of their life.