Matthew 25:40


“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 25:40

Jesus’ followers had understood they had often ministered to their brothers and sisters in Christ, it was a given they would aid the poor and suffering saints. What they did not comprehend was that in their doing for their Christian brothers and sisters they were doing a personal service to Christ himself. This verse does not stand by itself, however, for the surrounding verses (31-46) talk about what was done for the saints which represented the doing for Christ himself. It is good that we minister to each other in Christ. It also shows the equality and acceptance of Jesus. For, though He is encouraging the care for those who need it by the wealthy, or the more affluent, so He cares for those who are the more needy. There is none who escape the love and vision of Jesus – wealthy and affluent, or the poor and downcast. All are equal in His sight! What a privilege we have in serving each other! What a Christian does in caring is to not cancel out those who are more needy than others, but we raise them up by seeing Christ in the needy. How many chances do we miss in ministering to Christ? When we turn away from those in need, we turn away from Christ himself. How powerful a deterrent is this, that we, by not meeting another’s need in fact do not meet the need of our Saviour? Yet, let us not forget to reach out not only to our brothers and sisters in Christ, but to all who need to feel His touch, His healing, His presence, through us in their life.

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