Jesus was pretty clear about who would be received into heaven: those who love him. How does Jesus know who loves him? Or who is faking it?
"It's not that complicated. When you saw me hungry, naked, poor, sick, imprisoned, a stranger, you didn't help me," Jesus says, turning away from us.
"Wait a minute--When did we see you in need, Jesus, and not come to help you?" we ask anxiously, catching at his arm. "When you turned away from those in need--that's when you turned away from me," he answers (sadly, angrily, impatiently, perhaps). "I gave you plenty of opportunity."
Oh, but it is hard to take a stand for, the homeless, the abused children, the addicts, the alcoholics, the illegal immigrants, the prisoners, the parolees released onto the street after years of solitary, the jobless, the prostitutes. Not the people we want to be seen with, truth to tell.
Jesus, couldn't you ask us to save our money, eat well and buy things to make ourselves happy? Couldn't you have told us to mind our own business?
Jesus looks at me, "What do you think?"
His instructions are still clear. It didn't surprise me to find myself out on the highway today with United Methodists holding signs trying to dispel myths about homelessness and advocating for the poor. Rev. Sandy Stewart, the Day Center Director for the OUR Center, was the leader of the pack.
Disclaimers: I acknowledge that demonstrators these days are more likely to be called "Flash Mobs."More important, I acknowledge that others besides Christians advocate for the poor, homeless and hungry. 
It's just that for Christians, in the faces of the poor and oppressed we see the face of Jesus. For us, serving the poor is not optional.
