MINISTERING TO THE LEAST

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “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. 35 For 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, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

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 25:31-40

In this passage, Jesus divides humanity into two groups based on their actions.

The "Sheep" represents the righteous who cared for the needy.

The “Goats" represent those who fail to show compassion.

The righteous in this scripture didn’t even realize they were serving Christ; they simply responded to the needs of those who were hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, or imprisoned.

They took the time to slow down to notice and to look beyond being inconvenient. They started a “Movement of Compassion”.

No matter how much we repent, fast, or pray, we cannot leave out compassion in our daily lives.

During this season can we start a visible movement of Love and Compassion?

By feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and welcoming strangers

Demonstrating generosity by being a modern-day Good Samaritan

Asking for forgiveness from those who have hurt us.

Being a listening ear to that neighbor or coworker, rather than passing judgment

Serving without recognition

Sending an encouraging text

Offering a ride to church, to medical appointments or treatment

Cooking a meal for those on our sick and shut in

Jesus in not asking us to seek Him in just our spiritual experiences (Sunday service, conferences, or concerts). He wants us to actively seek him through meeting the tangible needs of “the least of these”.

Let us pray:

Dear God,

As we continue to journey through this season of Lent, search our hearts and purify our motives. Teach us that devotion is not only spoken in prayer but demonstrated in acts of love.

Helps us to be mindful of those who are hungry, thirsty, sick, or imprisoned, and that showing compassion matters.

Open our eyes to see you in unexpected places. Open our hands to give freely. Open our daily agendas to make time for those who need. Open our hearts to love unconditionally.

Transform us so that we can recognize Your Voice, Your touch, and Your Grace so that we do not miss you when you come disguised “as the least of these.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

SUBMITTED BY DEACON JUANITA DINGLE