Matthew 25:37-40
”Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’“
Matthew 25:37-40 NIV
When we help those who can't help themselves, those who have gotten themselves in trouble, those who have been falsely accused, those who are facing death, we are helping Jesus Himself. It is not what would Jesus do, it is what He did. He was constantly helping someone find God out of their hopelessness and despair.
Any sort of compassionate efforts we do, in the name of the Lord, we are doing it as if it were serving the Lord directly. That's an important element for us to remember as a motivation and also to get past some reservations about helping. When presented with an opportunity to bless, minister, feed, share, contribute, or otherwise help some one, it's important to remember that it's an opportunity to bless God directly. We need to treat the situation that way.
I see him in the city day after day, his name is Louis and he is homeless. His only means of transportation is a wheelchair. No matter how often I urge him to stay at a shelter, he refuses. The only thing he will do is accept prayer, some change or some food. But mostly he wants to just talk. Some people would label him an outcast or a loser.
In today's scripture the Lord Jesus uses a different name to describe millions of people like Louis. He calls them "the least of these." The unborn child, the person who is mentally or physically challenged, people who are homeless, or hungry, or refugees, people in prison, people who might never be able to live productive lives all are among "the least of these." Jesus does not mean these are lesser people, as if they were not as important as others. He adds that whatever we do for someone in need, we do it for Him.
As Mother Teresa said, "When we look into the face of one of them, we see the face of Jesus." It's not up to us to judge people like Louis who is homeless or anyone else who may face challenges or be at a disadvantage.
It's easy to start wondering about our impact when we have a chance to bless someone. Are they just going to use our money for booze or drugs? Are they just taking advantage of me because I'm a Christian? Will they be grateful? Will my efforts really make a difference in the long run?
All of this is irrelevant, though, and not our concern. Will it bless the person, and therefore bless God, that is what should concern us. Our task is simply to reach out and show them the life of Jesus, be relational with them. After all, that is what Jesus did for us to became relational.
While Jesus wants us to be compassionate and caring to all people, this passage is primarily about how we treat those the world seems to think are the least, but whom Jesus values as His disciples. The least, the last, and the left out become the primary ones who come to Jesus and find life, love, and lasting hope. Jesus’ promise is that as we care for those in His community, no matter their circumstance, we are caring for Him.
We can actually experience Immanuel, God with us, when we care for disciples of Jesus. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see His face in the faces of the people who are down and out, disadvantaged, or challenged in other ways. And pray for a willingness to reach out to them!!!
Father, thank You for this day and the joy that fills our hearts because of Jesus. Lord, open the windows of heaven and shine down Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord, give us a heart of concern and compassion for those who are left out and forgotten, especially those abandoned by the world who are Your disciples. Lord, give us courage to identify with those who the world not only shuns and shames, but those the world persecutes and ridicules. Lord, give us a heart like You for the people who most depend upon You. Lord, use my friend to be someone's blessing today.
Father, we love You. Amen
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