Seed of Hope started in 2003 as a ministry bringing relief to those in crisis when the HIV virus brought sickness and death. Over the past 17 years we have transitioned from crisis relief to long term development restoring communities through restored individuals.
Once again, we find ourselves in a crisis situation, this time as a result of the Coronavirus. We are busy delivering food parcels to families that are hungry and without income because of the lockdown.
Speaking to Karen and John who helped establish Seed of Hope, I was reminded of the importance of meeting physical needs which Jesus spoke about in Matthew 25:37-40. He told a parable of the judgement day using sheep and goats. The sheep on his right inherited his kingdom for their acts of compassion, while the goats on his left were cursed into everlasting fire for their indifference.
Jesus revealed to them that judgement was based on how they treated Him. “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink: I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.”Surprised the righteous asked Him when did they have that opportunity, and Jesus said, “Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me”. Those on His left were distraught and asked also, when did they ignore the Son of Man, their Judge? Certainly, they would have known! He answered, “Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these you did not do it to me.”
In Psalm 146 we also see God’s heart for the vulnerable. Verses 7-9 describe His desire for justice for the oppressed, food for the hungry, freedom for prisoners, opened eyes for the blind, the bowed down to be raised up, love for the righteous, protection for strangers, and relief for the fatherless and the widow.
The Psalm opens and closes with praises to God as well as an emphasis on the brevity of life. Verse 2, “While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”In heaven there is no oppression, hunger, sickness, bondage or poverty to address. We can only express God’s love now while on earth surrounded by brokenness and suffering. Here and now we can love and serve those who are on His heart.
This is our opportunity to minister to Christ himself as we take care of ‘the least of these’.
