THE LEAST OF THESE

Matthew 25:37-40

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You a drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to you”and the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:37-40, NKJV

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 our shelter, he refuses. The only thing he will do is accept prayer, some change, or some food. Some people would label him 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; and people who might never be able to live productive lives all are among "the least of these." And 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 put it, "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. Our task is simply to reach out and show them Jesus' love. 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 today to open your eyes to see His face in the faces of people who are down and out, disadvantaged, or challenged in other ways. And pray for a willingness to reach out!!!

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 us and our 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 whom the world not only shuns and shames but also those the world persecutes and ridicules. Lord, give us a heart like You for the people who most depend upon You. Lord, use us to be someone's blessing today.

Father, we love You. Amen.