In downtown Pittsburgh today, specifically on Smithfield Street, I encountered three things: several people proselytizing; a homeless man named Michael standing about 30 feet away from them, asking for change; and pro-"life" protesters in front of Planned Parenthood at the intersection of Liberty Ave and Smithfield Street. Both groups ignored Michael; in fact, as I was walking by the protesters to catch my bus, one of them said to me, "I see you're not wearing a wedding ring," and then called me a slut. No wonder women are scared of walking into Planned Parenthood. What was that Jesus said about judging again? Oh, that's right...He told us not to.
But back to Michael. He's staying in a shelter here on the North Side. He has no place to call home. He does have food stamps and medical assistance. He has paid into the system, and yet the government is dragging its feet in giving him the aid he deserves. He tries to look for work, but gets turned away, because 1) he has health issues (This sounds familiar) and 2) he's "too old." The proselytizers a few yards away, after I approach them about him, say "What homeless guy? Oh, he should get a job. He's not trying hard enough." What was that Jesus said about judging again? Again...He told us not to. In fact, read Matthew 25:31-46...tells you exactly what you should do when you see guys like Michael.
And yet I hear evangelicals asking "What would Jesus do?" Little do they know, apparently, that question gets them into trouble. Jesus didn't call people names - with the exception of the Pharisees, whom He called hypocrites on at least one occasion. He did say "No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6), but He spent far more time helping people, changing their lives. He led by example, something so many people who claim to follow Him are not doing today. I can see that. I'm not making assumptions. It's an open book. You can tell me that's not true, but how many of you would just walk right on by? You think you know, but you don't. You think you know why a woman's walking into Planned Parenthood (or even by it), but you don't. They don't just do abortions *gasp*. And...not all Planned Parenthood clinics are even abortion providers (Wow, that last one's a shocker). It's none of your business, anyway.
You think the reason why someone is homeless/on assistance/etc. is that they're not trying hard enough. Again, you don't know. Jesus didn't know either. You say one should always err on the side of caution, but you know what? Jesus didn't. He erred on the side of mercy. Many say they follow Him. It's way past time for them to follow through.
