This week’s Core Values:
Love God – Love Others
Serving People Is Serving God
Read Matthew 25:37-40
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“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.’
In this passage, Jesus is speaking to his disciples about what will happen at the end of the age. Verses 27-40 mark the end of the discourse, and show Jesus trying to help the disciples understand that moving toward God is intimately connected with moving toward people. More specifically, he is teaching his disciples that truly serving and loving others demands a love that does not discriminate. The phrase “the least of these” appears throughout the gospels, as Jesus teaches his people about the importance of caring for foreigners, widows, orphans, and the poor. It is easy to serve those who are like us or whom we like, but God commands that we serve all people in all places, especially those deemed “least” by society’s standards.
Reflection: When did you last serve someone that you disagree with, or someone you don’t particularly “like”? How can you find ways to serve “the least of these” in your community today?
