Who are “The Least of These”?

The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40, NIV)

Just about all of us who have had any contact with anything called “missions” these days has heard this verse.  The most common interpretation of Matthew 25 is that Christians are judged on the basis of if they take care of the poor, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and visit those in prison.

Now, while those are all good things, I am convinced this is NOT the essential meaning of this passage (side note: there are other places in scripture to get a basis for types of social justice, but I do not think this passage is one of them).  I hold that this is one of the most misquoted passages of scripture today (and I will throw myself in to the boat of having misquoted it myself in the past, as I know I quoted it in newsletters while I was in Philadelphia).

Intrigued?  Check out this article.  I think he hits the nail on the head.

I Am the Least of These, by Chaplain Mike.
http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/i-am-the-least-of-these

How Do We Deal with the Baggage of the Past?

I just read a great article by Rick Love entitled Blessing the Nations in the 21st Century: A 3D Approach to Apostolic Ministry.  It takes a very informative look at changes in our world-wide culture and society today, and asks some good questions about how can overcome some of the barriers that have been created over the past century.  It’s a great read, so check it out!

Dr. Ralph Winter, 1924-2009

Dr. Ralph Winter, founder and general director of the US Center for World Mission, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday night after a long battle with cancer.  During his life he made incredible contributions to the missions world, striving to bring the gospel of Jesus to every people group on earth.  Please pray for his wife Barbara and their family during this challenging time.  Pray also for us at the US Center for World Mission, and especially for Dave Datema, the new General Director, that we would continue in the good work God began through Dr. Winter.  

If you’d like to read more about Dr. Winter’s influence on missions and his passing, the Christian Post wrote an article:  http://www.christianpost.com/Missions/General/2009/05/missiologist-ralph-winter-dies-after-cancer-battle-21/index.html  

See also “John Piper’s Personal Tribute to the Late Ralph Winter”

The official obituary is available here.

Incredible article you should take time to read

Mandate for Missions: Urbana Classics – delievered by Warren Webster at Urbana 67

 

“The history of missions … is predominantly a history of the Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts of men. For this reason, I would caution you against basing the motive for your missionary involvement simply on the tremendous need.” 

…Nevertheless, you and I should be aware that in these verses [Matthew 28:18-20] called the Great Commission…[t]he command is to disciple nations: All the other action words here are expressed by participles in a subordinate relationship to the main verb. They tell us what is involved in making disciples. That is, we make disciples of men and nations by going, by baptizing, and by teaching. Going is necessarily involved; but the goal of missions is discipling, not merely going. A literal translation from the Greek might read, “Having gone, or by means of going, make disciples.”

…much of the most effective and extensive growth of the church throughout the world, past and present, has taken place when members of the body of Christ moved about in the normal course of seeking their livelihood, taking their faith with them. This is happening today in South America and Indonesia and many other places. When the honest emphasis of the Great Commission is placed where it belongs, putting the imperative on the command to disciple, you may get a new picture of missions. I leave you with a whole lifetime to work out its fascinating implications for yourself.

Read the rest here: http://www.urbana.org/_articles.cfm?RecordId=1124