Today's Scripture
A Cup of Tea – Matthew 25:35-40
35 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, 36 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.’ 37 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? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 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.’
RJ's Devotion
What the passage says
V. 35-36 Jesus told his disciples how they cared for him when we were hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison.
V. 37-39 Then the disciples ask him, ‘When did this all happen?’
V. 40 “I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me” (v. 40 CEB)
What does the passage say to me/us?
We need to remember that this story was told about the day of the judgment, even though it is a topic we like to avoid.
Jesus says that how we live will matter. Now, I am not pushing back from the notion of ‘Salvation comes by faith.’ However, I believe that a person who really believes in their salvation will strive to live to serve the Lord, who gave that grace. In Methodist terms, we are therefore bound to live out the ‘Sanctifying Grace.’
As followers, we are called to imitate the life that our Lord lived. He purposefully went to the sick and outcasts. He ate with them, healed them, and lived among them. We, in our own ways, are to find a way to do what Jesus has done in his lifetime.
It might be participating in some of the mission opportunities we have at our church. However, it has to go beyond programs. Our programs might help us to be exposed in a setting to serve, but it does not check off our mandate to live like Jesus. Reaching out to others has to go beyond programs, and it has to become our lifestyle. After all, we need to remember that Jesus says, “when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” (V. 40 CEB).
So, who is Jesus calling you to serve? And remember the words of Paul, “Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).
Prayer
Lord, help us to see who you are calling us to serve. Help us to share your love to the world. Give us the strength and courage to glorify your name.
In your name, we pray. AMEN
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