It has always been my desire to “do unto others as I would have them do unto me.” I firmly believe that how I treat others, especially, “the least of these” will determine how I am treated. The Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, speaks more on helping the fatherless, the poor and the widows (the sick, the homeless) than it speaks on other things. Indeed, one of the most profound passages in the New Testament is the one in Matthew 25:31-46.
The setting of this parable is after the tribulation at the beginning of the millennium when Jesus returns as King. Everyone is brought before the Jesus, the Shepherd. They are labeled as either sheep or goats. The sheep are placed on the Lord’s right and the goats are placed on his left.
The sheep on the right are blessed and given an inheritance. the were given an inheritance because, as Jesus noted, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. The sheep then ask the King when did they do these things for him? Then the King (Jesus) 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.’” (25:35-40)
Now the goats, placed on the left, are sentenced to everlasting hell, prepared for the devil and his fallen angels. They had also had an opportunity to minister to the Lord, but he declared to them, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. The goats will ask when did they do these things to him? The King will reply to him, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these (the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned) you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (25: 41-46)
If we truly belong to the kingdom of God—if we are truly saved, we will demonstrate this through our service and kindness to others.
In this season in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us do as Jesus would do. Let us say a prayer for others; let us lend a helping hand to those in need–provide a word of encouragement or clothing or a meal to “the least of these.”
Be Blessed and Have a Merry Christmas!
Scriptural References:
1 John 3:17 But if someone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but refuses to help–how can the love of God dwell in a person like that?
Luke 3:11 John answered, “Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.
Proverbs 19:17 Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them.
Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.
Proverbs 11:25 Generous persons will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
Philippians 2:4 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.
Be First to Comment