Whatever we do for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed, we do for Christ

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks of those who were “hungry,” “thirsty,” “a stranger,” “sick,” or “in prison.” Then he clearly states, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me” (Matthew 25:45). Jesus’ connection with those who are the “least of these” is not incidental: Jesus was poor, marginalized because he was a Galilean, and killed for threatening the political status quo, despite his innocence. Jesus was one of the “least of these,” even as he was fully God. This places an incredible ethical burden on Christians. Certain actions are automatically excluded for Christians. Jesus was tortured. In eleven years of academic study of theology, I cannot think of a single Christian ethicist who claims torture is a valid Christian act. Christ’s words echo here: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Christ’s life places certain ethical values before Christians, even if the specific means of living out these values in policies and actions are not always specified. Jesus was a refugee, and so Christians are called to help those who are refugees. We are called to develop a wise, creative, and substantial response to any refugee crisis. We are also called to emphasize legal justice, advocacy for the poor, and social inclusion for the outcast. Any ethic that claims to be Christian but does not take seriously the identity of Jesus Christ is an ethic that falsely bears the name Christian.

Jesus Christ was perfect God and perfect human. When we help the poor, victims, or the marginalized, we help human beings who are like Jesus Christ.