Matthew 25:42-45
One of the things I love about Southwood is that Southwood has a heart for serving. There are so many ways and so many opportunities for us to give back and show our love of God.
In Matthew 25 Jesus said, " I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me." “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, "I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me." Matthew 25:42-45 (CEB)
The people listening to this message were confused. They couldn’t remember a time when they saw Jesus and denied him help. In these verses, Jesus is identifying with the lowest of people. Jesus would tell the people that whatever they had done to help, or deny, others they actually did to Him.
The emphasis is on looking for ways that we can help others around us, and in so doing, we honor God. There are chances around us all the time to love and serve Jesus by loving and serving others. Sometimes this means giving to people who don’t have much. Sometimes it means just showing someone that we are willing to listen if they need to talk. It could be as simple as a smile, a hug, or a kind word. We know that all people are made in God’s image, and even people who might seem hard to love, are His. The emphasis is not so much on what we do, but on who we do things for. We serve others not out of obligation, but out of love for God.
Even Jesus came to serve, and the new commandment was to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. Keeping this command is our response to God’s love. We might be a lot more motivated to help others in need if we recognized that in doing so, we were helping Jesus! Jesus uses people to do his work. By serving others we do it as though we do it for Christ. Serving God and others is not about doing great things, but about doing small things with great love.
Questions for Reflection:
- Have you ever needed help and didn’t get any? How did that feel?
- Do you feel like Jesus’ words in Matthew are meant for you?
- When was the last time that you helped a friend, or maybe someone you didn’t know?
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for letting us be a part of your work. When we serve other people, we serve you. Help us look for ways to serve, to give of ourselves, and to care for those around us. Help us to share your love. In Jesus' name, Amen!
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