One Anothering

Matthew 25:40 (NIV) "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'


Once in a while when I invite some to join me at church and they decline the invitation they will often justify their response by telling me it's not for them.  When another asks me about my involvement at church, questioning why I do it, they are really asking, "What's the point?" There could be any number of reasons for their hesitation or challenge, but the underlying belief is that I am foolish to let people use me like this.

Jesus' words above teach us that every good thing we do for someone else is noticed.  When we help a neighbor Jesus takes it personally. He cares about us when we hurt just as he cares when we are in a position to help. Picking up another's burdens, making their load lighter is the same as coming alongside Jesus and helping Him.

Isaiah taught in the Old Testament how important it is to care and come alongside. Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58:7) Jesus expects us to get personally involved in caring for the needs of others.

The focus of this parable is that we should love every person and serve anyone we can. Such love for others glorifies God by reflecting our love for him. What does that look like in your life?





Matthew 25:31-40

Matthew 25:31-40 -- You did it to me

As we prepare to welcome Jesus into the world, into our hearts, the Scriptures we have been reading from this week help us to do this.  We read about dreams and how God uses them to speak to us, to convict us to do the next right thing.  We have been witness to God speaking to His people, using dreams to guide them to safety and to make good decisions.

Matthew 25:37-40 (MSG)
"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' 

Preparing our hearts for Jesus is a learning process.  Jesus, being God, desires for us to love one another and in so doing we are loving Him.  Jesus told us that love is the greatest of all commands and his arrival in this world testifies to that.  The world will tells us we must take care of ourselves, that we are 'number one' and if we don't take grab all the gusto we can get we are failures.

Jesus' life among us says quite the opposite.  Love one another, build relationships with one another, take care of each other, reach out to one another...see a theme here.  By living as Jesus taught us to, we will hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant..."  These are the words I long to hear--you too?

Read Matthew 25:31-40 here

Listen to Matthew 25:31-40 here

Matthew 25:31-40

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)

How do we serve others in need?  Just what does it look like to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those in prison?  The holidays are here.  Thanksgiving is next Thursday and soon after we celebrate Christmas.  There are always opportunities to help people who need us, but during this time of year it is even easier.  Outside many grocery stores and retail shopping establishments you will see the "bell-ringers".  Dropping a few coins or more, into their buckets is a good start.

Is it not to share your food with the hungry
   and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
   and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58:7)

Driving down the road it is not unusual to spot a sign in front of a church that is asking for blankets or coats to help keep people warm in the bitter winter cold.  Having Thanksgiving Dinner this year?  Why not invite someone who is alone, perhaps a military wife whose husband is away serving our county.  Perhaps you know of a recent widower who could use a reminder of the way a home-cooked meal tastes.

“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)

Read the Matthew 25:31-40 text here.  Listen to a reading of the text here.