Saturday, November 2, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Matthew 25:35–40

“‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” (NRSV)

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Reflection

This passage makes me look at my life and wonder if I am one of the righteous. Am I seeing those in need and feeding and clothing them? Am I visiting the sick? Those in prison? Perhaps not as often as I should.

In verses 37–39, the righteous ask when they saw the Lord in need and gave him aid. In this story, the righteous are not out and about feeling righteous but are going about their business and serving the Lord. They are surprised to find that they have helped the Lord by helping those of their fellow men and women who were suffering.

The point, I think, is about the serving, not about who is being served. In other words, it is not our job to figure out who is in need of God’s love. All are in need. So anything we do to serve those in need — cooking at a homeless shelter, offering help after a natural disaster, praying with or for another who is suffering, offering a positive word — these are the active ways we can serve God’s people.

And we’re not doing it for credit; we are doing it as part of our life in Christ. It is the physical representation of our love for God and God’s love for the world. We are God’s hands when God’s people are in need.

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Prayer
Great God of the universe, help me to notice where your people are in need. Use me to serve those needs. Keep me open to your leading me in the way I can best serve your people and your world. Amen.

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Written by Juli Crabtree, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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