Judgment is not my favorite subject. I’d rather speak about grace. However, I cannot deny that Jesus, at least in the memory of the Gospel writers, mentioned judgment on numerous occasions. Which has me wondering, if Jesus were to visit America, how would he judge us?
The answer to this question can be found in the Gospel of Matthew. In chapter 25 Jesus tells a vivid parable about the final judgment of “all the nations.”
In this story Jesus says (among other things), “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance. … For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, … I was a stranger and you invited me in. … I was sick and you looked after me.”
Martin Thielen
Later in the parable Jesus adds, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, … for I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, …. I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, … I was sick and … you did not look after me.”
The meaning of Matthew 25 is clear. When we engage in compassionate acts of kindness for marginalized people (“the least of these”) like feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger and caring for the sick, it’s the same as doing it for Jesus. When we do not do these things “for the least of these,” it’s the same as not doing it for Jesus.
Based on Jesus’ criteria in Matthew 25, how would America be judged? The same way every nation and person will be judged. By the way we treat “the least of these.” Let’s review the three examples noted above.
First, let’s consider Jesus’ words about hunger. America jettisoned most of its foreign aid this year, including food support for millions of hungry children around the globe. The same dynamic is happening in the United States.
The “big beautiful bill” just passed by the Trump administration and the GOP makes major cuts to SNAP (food stamps), which helps feed millions of low-income Americans, including a significant percentage of America’s children.
Major cuts also have been made to food banks and local schools. Given the magnitude of these governmental cuts, private charities cannot make them up.
If Jesus visited America today, he would have to say, “I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat.”
“If Jesus visited America today, he would have to say, ‘I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in.'”
Second, let’s consider Jesus’s words about welcoming strangers (immigrants). Although many Americans accuse immigrants of being rapists, murderers, gang members and drug dealers, the vast majority are law-abiding, hardworking people who make significant contributions to our culture and economy.
Large numbers of immigrants recently have been deported, many without due process, which the Constitution guarantees to all people regardless of immigration status. Hundreds, including many who have no criminal record, have been shipped to vicious gulag-like prisons in other countries where they likely never will be released alive. Immigrants who have not been deported live in debilitating fear, including those who are here legally, yet are still threatened with deportation.
If Jesus visited America today, he would have to say, “I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in.”
Third, let’s consider Jesus’ words about caring for the sick. Jesus was a healer, so health care would be exceptionally important to him. And yet, the “big beautiful bill” will cut health care to millions of low-income Americans. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, about 16 million people will lose health insurance (primarily from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act) as a result of the proposed cuts, including large numbers of children and disabled people.
The reason for the cuts? To give trillions of dollars in tax breaks to the richest people in America, exasperating the massive wealth gap even further.
If Jesus visited America today, he would have to say, “I was sick, and you did not look after me.”
These stunning cuts to the hungry and sick, along with the overwhelming cruelty to immigrants, are clear violations of Jesus’ example and teachings, including his poignant words in Matthew 25. Unless major changes occur, recent decisions made by America will result in terrible suffering (and even death) for legions of “the least of these” in our country and beyond.
Which brings me back to the original question of this article: If Jesus were to visit American in 2025, how would he judge us?
If we don’t change course quickly the answer is clear. Jesus would judge America harshly.
Martin Thielen, a retired minister (SBC and UMC), ex-megachurch pastor and bestselling author, is the founder and author of www.DoubtersParish.com.