Matthew 25:31-46 (click to view Scripture below)
Today’s Scripture reading is part of a set of parables that Jesus offers right before His death. It is a clear parable that describes the pattern of our lives as we follow Jesus. To follow Jesus includes responding to human need. Our response is not to gain recognition that seeks to impress. We care for the “least of these” because Christ’s love is offered freely: “He is not willing that any should perish.”
As part of the ChildHope community you have responded to the needs of children who have limited access to education and whose lives are less than safe and secure. You have done so with a relatively simple decision because you have the capability to impact the life of a child. Your response to “the least of these” need not be motivated by pity, but by a deep abiding belief that you are making possible an encounter with the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Hear the words of Jesus reminding you that “as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.”
Vice President, ChildHope
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the opportunity to impact a child’s life and offer a future filled with hope: Simply because I can!
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Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV)
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 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 foundation of the world. 35 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, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 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? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 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.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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