Matthew 25:35-40
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
I have always thought of the above verse as it concerned doing good deeds and kindnesses for others, but today I think of it differently. Have we gossiped about a brother or sister in Christ? We did it to Jesus, instead. Have we held a grudge against someone? We held a grudge against God. Have we spoken harshly to someone? Minimized another? Self righteously judged another person, made in the image of Christ? We judged Christ. God, forgive us.
It sure hurts to be on the receiving end of such treatment, but that can hopefully serve as an encouragement to not treat others in a similar manner. Recognizing that all who follow Christ will be misunderstood from time to time and mistreated can help us avoid the needless pity parties and martyr complex, too, but Christ can comfort us in those times.
God help us to love on one another. It’s a tough world out there and we all could use some encouragement. Caring for the hurting, resisting judgment and replacing it with grace. That’s what Jesus would do, and He loves to answer our prayers so we would be enabled to do the same thing. Praise His Name!
Lord, forgive us when we have selfishly put others down for our own glory and heal us when others have done the same to us. Our lives are all for Your glory, LORD. May we treat one another in a way that pleases you. Love You, LORD!
Beautifully said!
Reblogged this on My Delight and My Counsellors.