If Jesus was hungry, would you buy Him a meal? If Jesus was thirsty, would you give Him a glass of water? Of course you would!
Jesus explains that when we have compassion on “the least”, it is like we are doing it for Him. It is not more impressive to God to help important people. If you are teaching a Sunday School class to children, or if you are a school teacher, or if you are a mother, you are doing it “unto the least”.
There is no glory in teaching your own kids, no glory in teaching a children’s Sunday School class, no glory in being a school teacher, and no glory in caring for children with disabilities. But, Jesus said,
“… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
It may not seem like you are serving Jesus when you care for the children in your midst, but you are. Compassion is a result of knowing Jesus. Just as compassion flows from Him, it will flow from you.
Understand then, that your service to the least is of great importance to God. Never think that caring for children is not important. It is! Whether they are the children in your church, children you don’t know, or your own children, it is very important to God.
This is just one aspect of this parable, but it is an important one. I know this parable doesn’t only apply to children, but I want to highlight it as an encouragement to everyone who devotes their time to teaching our children. Do it with all your heart, as unto the Lord. Consider Jesus’ words:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25: 34-40 NIV
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:7-8 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” Psalm 8:3-4 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
“But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 8:19-20 NIV
God warned Israel that a king would exact taxes and pervert justice (see 1 Samuel 8:11-18), but they wanted to be like other nations. So God gave them a king. It turned out that Israel had 43 kings over a period of 450 years, but only 8 of them followed the Lord. The people did not put God’s will above their own.
Jesus taught us to pray,
“Thy will be done…” Matthew 6:10 KJV
In the garden, before the crucifixion Jesus prayed,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 NIV
The key to following Jesus is to obey God. The Israelites wanted a king even though they were warned against it. They thought having a king would be the answer to all their problems. All the other nations had a king, after all!
Asking for God’s will to be done is not just something to tag on to the end of our prayer. It must be the desire of our hearts, our aim, and our will.
When we consider what the Bible says about God’s will, it is important to remember that Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 NIV
We know that God’s word reveals His will. This is why it is so important to read and study God’s word daily. Don’t be like the man who built his house on the sand.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 NIV
Jesus made it crystal clear that God’s will could be summarized like this:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 NIV
Wherever we may find ourselves in this life, let us love Him completely and love the people He puts in our path. And let us obey His Word. Then we can know that we are in His will.
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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