2004-07-21 - The Least of Them

Encore 2003-04-02

A few days ago, I was forced to take a look at myself and wonder exactly how close I am to what Jesus preached. I believe that Jesus came here to serve, to live among and preach to the lowest people of society. He came here to save the sinners, the lowest of the people. He loved and still loves us all, and wants to see us live. In this devotional, I will use the passage from Matthew 25:35-45, in which Christ tells us about helping the least of His people.

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'you that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'"

"Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?''Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'"

Jesus calls us to help the least of His people. We may not like to help them, because we may not know them. We may not like them, and we may not want to help them for that reason, but God calls us to do it. We are to help everyone, no matter who they are. We cannot have a judgmental eye toward anyone, because if we do, we will not be able to help them. We will look down on them, or think less of them.

Try to treat all people the same. Don't give favor to one person while forgetting another. God tells us to love our neighbor. Just help people, folks. Don't look at them, judge them, and then decide whether to help them or not. Just love everyone like Christ loves us. It will help society greatly. Please, try...

The Word of God, For the Children of God, "Thanks be to God."

Derek

http://www.cfdevotionals.org