Thought #4

This series started with the question of why God seems to have a special preference, bent, or affinity toward the poor, weak and oppressed? The last three posts are all the moral reasoning I could muster at this point. I tried to argue that this "preference" extends not just to evangelization but also toward addressing their basic needs and suffering. I have argued in the Social Justice and Evangelism series that both were done by Jesus, and his followers were taught to do the same. We should not pit one against the other or elevate one to a higher priority. We are to love others, which means we relieve their suffering when we can, we preach the good news to them, and we teach them how to follow Jesus.

If you are still with me after the above, then comes another interesting question: What implications does this have for us as Jesus followers? If God has a bent toward the poor, weak, and oppressed, then he has and will direct his followers to carry out his will. Jesus followers will put forth intentional, well-directed effort toward crossing paths with the needy and tap into God's compassion for these people. They will have God's eyes and ears and be his hands and mouth.

The intention, well-directed effort part will involve stepping outside of our comfort zone; stepping out of our neighborhoods, where we are surrounded by other well-off people just like us. It will involve not just waiting for the poor to cross our path, but us crossing theirs. We know where they are. We need to go there. This will be inconvenient, but in doing so, we will find grace and the blessing that comes from loving exceptionally.