THURSDAY: THE LEAST OF THESE
KEY PASSAGE
“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. 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, 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.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? “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.’
DEVOTIONAL
The key passage for today is an excerpt from one of Jesus’ parables. This parable follows an intense warning from Jesus about the religious leaders, who were so obsessed with being seen that they forgot to see as God sees.
Notice the repeated question asked to the King: “Lord, when did we see you… ?”
The righteous (the religious leaders) ignored this foundational truth: all people are made in the image of God. Which means God places infinite value on each individual life. Valuing one another is valuing God. Serving one another is serving God. Inviting one another is inviting God. Loving one another is loving God… My point is this: seeing one another is seeing God.
So the question becomes: who do you see?
A loved one. An avoidable coworker. A precious child. A struggling widow. A wealthy businessman. An annoying neighbor. A successful leader. A lowly, needy stranger…
Train your eyes to see a remarkably valuable life, worthy of your love, attention and resources.
CHALLENGE
Take a moment to reflect on who you see. They may not be literally around you, so pay attention to whoever comes to mind. Once you see a few faces or names, take note of the needs of the people you see.
Then, ask God who He sees. Take note of the needs of the people He brings to mind.
Choose one person with a need. Meet that need as you go about your day.