Overlooked

Matthew 25:37-40 (Message)

"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about?

When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?'

Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

The most familiar versions of this scripture have Jesus saying, "when you did one of these things for 'the least of these...'"

But this version is pretty striking, because it puts a little clearer face on just who those folks are: the "overlooked or ignored."

So overlooked, in fact, that even those good people who are being rewarded by Jesus in heaven for their care of others are surprised to hear what Jesus is talking about.

"When did we do good things for you, Lord?"

"When you did them for the overlooked and ignored."

Have you ever been ignored?

Sure you have.

At one time or another we've all had that feeling of being overlooked. And it doesn't feel good.

Being overlooked and ignored challenges our feelings of identity and self-worth.

The one who chooses to see us and care for us becomes pretty special in our lives.

Those moments of recognition don't make the news. They may not even register in our hearts or minds in the course of a day. But they do matter.

Steve Sjogren, one of the founders of the "servant evangelism" movement, has famously said that, "Small things, done with great love, will change the world."

Jesus seems to say the same.

Looking at the overlooked has eternal significance.

May God give us the grace to see the people and places that are so easily overlooked.

Prayer: Knowing that we are saved by grace, we pray that you would transform us into true servants of those in need all around us. Show us the depths of your teaching, and help us to know that serving those in need is the very same as serving you.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.