“progressive” Christians seem to miss the point Jesus made about helping those in need

Is it a miss if they weren't aiming at that target? I've noticed liberals never bring up Christ except to claim that He would allow waves of invaders or applaud tax slavery. They certainly don't want to hear the "stop being a whore and follow my example" parts of the New Testament, for instance.

Personally I think it's just a halfassed attempt to use passages and parables they don't understand as a cudgel. I don't think there is such a thing as a left wing Christian. Merely someone who is either lying to themselves, or lying to you.