The Lord is persistent. For many days the Lord echoed the words ...the least of these... through my little pea brain. I began to make notes from the Bible and found more than a few passages concerning 'the least of these'. But Matthew 25 verse 40 captured my heart. I thought what a wonderful message for us all. However, time was limited for my beloved wife lay in an ICU bed at Memorial Herman Hospital.
Praise the Lord God! Prayers answered! Wife got better. Well enough to hold hands while treading the beautiful historic section of the hospital built in 1925. And there in the architecture of old we beheld 'the main supporting pillar'. And embedded in that marble pillar a bronze plaque, where it is written founder George H. Herman's driving inspiration... and my minds echo... Matthew chapter 25 verse 40: "And the King shall answer and say to them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of 'the least of these' my bretheren, ye have done it unto me."
On the main supporting pillar rests the whole building. God is love. So does God command us to be love... by loving even the least of these. Jesus tells us to #1 love God and #2 love our neighbor; and that these two commandments fulfill the ten commandments of the law of the prophets. On the main supporting pillar rests the whole building. Love God and love thy neighbor: the central pillar. The bronze plaque upon that pillar: love even the least of your neighbors and so do you love also the Son of Father God, the King Christ Jesus. (Matthew 22:37-40 & 5:17)
The least of these... Jesus speaks in Matthew 25:34-40, "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35)For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36)Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37)Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38)When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39)Or saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40)And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my bretheren, ye have done it unto me." The least of these... (also in Isaiah 58:6-11)
The least of these... By the grace of God that is Christ Jesus, those who serve in love with no thought for self, inherit the kingdom of heaven. Jesus has prepared a mansion there for each and every one, who shares his love even unto... the least of these... (Mark 9:41; John 14:1-3)
The least of these... the least of these: So do we honor our Father God with acts of mercy. Acts of mercy should be every day. Acts of mercy should become our very nature; love our very being; serving where ever service is needed. Make habit the serving of the least of these... For we reflect God's love and glorify Him by loving the least of these... When we hug even the least of these... So do we hug Jesus... What joy to hug our King... Can you imagine his joy in hugging you...
Why are the least of these: the child, the poor, the wretched, the criminal, the sinner, you, me, the least of all society; why are even the least of these who are last; why do the least of these become first in the kingdom (Mt. 19:30). Why? Because the least of these, who is forgiven much, loves much (Luke 7:47). Because for the least of these, God's grace is sufficient and His strength made perfect in weakness (2nd Cor. 12:9). Because Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners, you and me, the least of these to repentance (Mt. 9:13). When even the least of these truly determine to love Jesus... the power of God fills them... God's purpose to fulfill... So are the least of these the love of God...
The most urgent problem many face is not knowing how much they are loved... Tell them... Hug them... Today... Be the arms of Jesus...
Sharon &Forrest love you. Please share...
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