“And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'“ (Matthew 25:40, NKJV)
Love for God is best expressed by loving others. The Bible is clear that Christians are to have compassion on those in need. Compassion involves sympathy, but words are often expressed best through practical doings. We are not to aid others in order to make Christians, but by aiding others we are able to express true Christianity, thereby leading them to Christ.
The practical doings mentioned in this parable are visiting the imprisoned, clothing the poor and feeding the hungry. But who are the “least of these My Brethren”? The Bible elsewhere encourages us to reach out and help the improvised, destitute and abandoned. But in the book of Matthew, Jesus’ brethren appear to apply more to his people. The early church suffered as it took the gospel to the world. Jesus suffered with them, as they suffered because of Him. When we express compassion and meet fellow believers' true needs, we have done it unto Jesus. But if we reject the gospel of Christ we reject Christ, if we reject Christ’s brethren we also reject Him.
In the parable of the Sheep of the Goats, Jesus targets a particular people to lavish compassion upon. Matthew associates these brethren with fellow Christians, not only those needy outside her walls. Therefore, judgment concerns not only our response to Christ and His gospel, but also our response to those who preach it and live by it. Many gospel workers continue to be imprisoned, beaten and impoverished for the simple fact they love and follow Jesus. Jesus identifies with them and with their sufferings. He feels their pain, heartache and sorrow. In a more narrow reading than, as Christians we are to love and support our fellow brothers and sisters in their sufferings and need, and in so doing show our love for Christ.
The amazing thing is that these servants of Jesus fail to realise they are indeed responding to Him when they are responding to the needs of their brethren. This is because their works of compassion flow from God. They do, because they are, not so they can get. They have connection with the God of compassion; therefore they are merely active extensions of it. When we respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are actually responding to Jesus. Therefore, let us ease His tears by easing their tears.
Image by Treehugger / Allison McAdams
