Serving Jesus = Serving Others

‘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.”’
Matthew 25:34-40

This parable, commonly known as ‘The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats’ is one Jesus uses to remind us of what we, as Kingdom people should look like, how we will be judged on judgement day, based on how we serve others.

Jesus highlights the importance of being generous, not just with money or resources but with our time and in our acts of service to one another, especially to 'one of the least of these brothers and sisters.’ However, serving is not an easy task, it is hard. It takes energy and time and for many it means planning around a very ‘busy’ schedule.

I don’t know about you but there have been many times where I have walked past countless numbers of people who would have genuinely needed help (not just material but maybe all they needed was a chat or hug). I was either too busy or in a rush to go somewhere that I have missed the very people God wanted me to love on and serve.

So how do we serve others? Well, let’s read verse 40 again, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Jesus tells us that everyone person we stop to smile at or have a chat with or go to visit while they are in a rough place, it is as if we were serving Jesus himself.

Perhaps it is easier to visualise this: imagine Jesus being on the receiving end of your act of service. Whether that’s buying clothes for a child whose family is struggling or visiting a prison to minister to people, think of Jesus being on the other end of your generosity.    

It’s as though Jesus is at our doorstep, on our way to work or the grocery shop. Let’s stop and let’s see Him. Let’s serve those who God places in our lives and in turn, serve Jesus.

- Desarie Annadurai

Inward prayer: Father God, please forgive me for the times I haven't loved and served the people around me.

Outward prayer: Father God, please help me to see who you see and feel the way you feel for them.

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