Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matt. 25:40)
Expanded Passage: Matthew 25:31–46
It is expected that one will do the right thing when people are watching. You are motivated to help someone when you expect to get praise for it. It is easy to be nice to someone who could help you get to the next level of your career. However, it can be challenging to be kind, generous, and helpful to the person whom Jesus says is the least of these. The least of these could be someone society deems as unacceptable. The least of these could be someone you simply cannot stand to be around. The least of these could be someone you might never see again and someone no one will ever know you helped.
Know that those who are considered the least of these in this life are precious people whom Jesus loves and cares for. We, as his people, are called to love them as well. We are called to view them as we would treat Jesus himself. When we start to view and treat others as if Jesus was in the room, it pulls us to recognize the error of our ways. It also reminds us that we are cared for by Jesus in the same way. May we look at ourselves and those we come across as someone Jesus would want us to treat with grace and generosity.
Be aware that how we view others is how we view Jesus.
Rachel Reigard serves the Great Lakes Region of The Wesleyan Church as an ordained minister. She loves walking around Lake Michigan with her husband, Josh, and Corgi, Waffles.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
