Day 58: March 25

Matthew 25:31-46 (NLT)

SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHT

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’45 “And  he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

OBSERVATION

• It is interesting that the decision point for entry to heaven is how we live, not the mere fact of us “knowing Jesus as Savior.”
• If we claim to know Christ, we must live like it, like He did. 
• Those on the right loved and cared for those in need without thought. It was not about self-promotion and boasting about how good they were. They saw needs and filled them. They had Godly compassion. 
• God sees rejection of people in need as a rejection of Him! Ouch! None of us wants to be seen as rejecting Jesus, but we do it every time we reject our fellow humans. 

APPLICATION

• Knowing Jesus (i.e. Salvation) and being like Jesus are separate but related things. I must live as Jesus lives, see things as He does, see people and their needs as He does and be willing to give of myself and my time — even when it’s not convenient — to be Jesus’ hands and feet to those around me. Caring for people like Jesus did is the outgrowth of the Spirit's work in those who have been saved by grace through faith.
• What action can I take today, this week, this month, this year to minister to those with practical needs? Do I have the right attitude and approach to this? Am I encouraging my fellow Christians to have the “Jesus approach?”
• Do I feed hate or indifference when I hear of those in need? Do I contribute to improvement in their circumstances?
• I am reminded of the music video to the song “Does Anybody Hear Her” by Casting Crowns. It shows a woman lost to the world but the Christians around her are oblivious to her needs and self-absorbed. How often do we interact with folks in need, but continue to be preoccupied  with our own needs and wants instead of being attune and responsive?

PRAYER

Lord, help me be a representation of you in my day-to-day life. Help me see those around me through your eyes. Let me see their hurt, their hunger, their thirst, their loneliness, their need for clothing and shelter, their sickness, and their bondage. Use me to minister to them, to show them your love and invitation to a relationship with you. Help me develop Godly compassion and show authentic love to them and see them as you do. Help me not be judgmental and dismissive of their needs, but own my role in helping them. Help my life to be a witness to my fellow Christians so that they, too, emulate You.