This story can be found on the internet, and it is told in a variety of ways. It may or may not be true, but it contains a good lesson.
Professor Smith teaches religion at a small Christian college. He is known for his elaborate and creative object lessons. One day, the students coming into the classroom saw a big target attached to the wall, and on a nearby table there were several darts. Professor Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone they disliked; someone who had made them very angry. Then, he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture, if they wished. They were all anxious to do so.
Everyone in the class could think of someone they wanted to throw darts at. One girl drew a picture of a former boyfriend who had recently broken up with her in a rude way. A boy drew a picture of his obnoxious roommate, who he was quite sure was stealing from him. Another student drew a picture of someone she thought was a close friend, but who had betrayed her by telling everyone a personal secret she had shared in confidence. Another pictured someone who owed them a lot of money, and was refusing to pay it. Everyone could think of someone.
Then, one at a time, the students put the picture they had drawn over the target and threw the darts, some with great force and feeling. The anger, even hatred, they had for the other person was obvious. Every student had a turn, and there was much laughter and fun. No names were said, but some of the students were pretty good drawers, and the others recognized who was getting a face full of darts; and that just added to the fun.
When all were finished and back in their seats, Professor Smith removed the papers from the dartboard on the wall. Underneath the shredded pictures of the despised classmates, was the target, and under that, was one more picture. It was a picture of Jesus, his face still recognizable, but just barely. It was not a pleasant sight.
The teacher then said: “In Matthew 25:40 our Lord Jesus said, ‘Whatever you have done to the least of these my little ones, you have done to me.’ Class dismissed.”
This verse comes from a parable of Jesus on how we should serve others. It can also tell us how to treat others. God is our heavenly Father. We are, all of us, His children. And God does not want any of his children hating and mistreating his other children. It hurts and angers Him to see that.
I am a father, so I can understand that. When my kids are in pain, so am I. When our daughter Amy was in second grade, she loved school. In fact, she loved school so much, she hated weekends. Friday was a sad day for her because she could not go back to school for two whole days. That is why it was so hard to understand when all of a sudden, she did not want to go to school anymore. She dreaded it. She would even be physically sick in the morning before school, and sometimes had to stay home. Finally, Amy told us the problem. Her good friend Molly had, for no reason, turned against her. Molly was the most popular and powerful girl in the second grade, and had used her considerable influence to turn all the second-grade girls against Amy, and they were being very nasty. Kids can be that way, and they were making life miserable for Amy. In a matter of a few days, this little girl that we loved so much, went from not enjoying weekends because she couldn’t go to school, to having such a stomach ache every morning that she had to stay home from school. And just as those children were hurting Amy and making her miserable, they were hurting me and making me miserable. I can readily understand what Jesus means when he says, “Whatever you have done to the least of these my little ones, you have done to me.”
I am reminded of a story from my own childhood. A new family had moved in to our neighborhood. They had two boys, both a bit younger than me. They came to the park to meet new friends and get into the neighborhood gang. There was a large group of us neighborhood boys, and none of us were very nice to these newcomers. In fact, we were quite mean to them, and thought it was fun to watch them go home crying.
One day there was a knock at our door. I answered, and it was Donny, the father of those two boys. I quickly said, “Sorry Donny, my dad’s not home. Bye.” And Donny said, “I’m not looking for your dad. I’m looking for you.” And I thought to myself, “Oh, oh.” Those were the days when people might hit other people’s kids when they had it coming; and I had it coming. So, I was getting ready to duck, run, or something. But Donny did not hit me. He just talked calmly and reasonably and with deep feelings about how hard it was for his kids to move into a new neighborhood. He told me how my friends and I were making it worse, and how much that was hurting his kids, and, hurting him, their father. I knew Donny. He and my father were friends, he had done some work at our house, and I liked him. He was a nice guy and I was a stupid kid; stupid, because it never occurred to me to think about the hurt I was causing him and his family by being so terrible. I just thought that’s what kids do; they pick on each other. But seeing that father’s pain troubled me. I did not pick on his kids anymore; not because I was afraid, but because I was ashamed.
This is what Professor Smith was teaching in his object lesson. The students were glad to throw darts at their hated classmates. But they were ashamed to see what it did to Jesus, and to hear him say in that verse, “Whatever you do to the least of these my brothers and sisters you do it to me.”
This does not mean we must be unrealistic about the faults of others. The students who threw darts had reasons to be angry with the people whose faces they drew. Being a Christian does not mean just being nice to everybody. Donny was not happy with me. He said so and I got the message. After Molly was talked to firmly, she also got the message. She changed, and Amy was again able to enjoy school. When people sin against others, there must be consequences. But even as we deal with the wrongdoer, we must not hate or despise them. Rather, as they are reprimanded, we should wish for them the best; and that God may move in their hearts to make them better people.
No throwing darts.
**************************
Romans 12:21 — Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:19 — Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God.
Ephesians 4:31 — Remove anger, rage, and slander, replacing them with kindness.
Romans 12:18 — Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
*****************************
O God, we know and believe in the love you have for us. May we, by dwelling in that love, dwell in you, and you in us. May we learn to love and to serve you, who we have not seen, by loving and serving our neighbors, who we have seen; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Related Posts
