What You Did for the Least of These
“34 “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. 35 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, 36 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.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “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.’”
The passage presents a profound teaching from Jesus about the end times. He speaks of gathering all nations and separating them as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The sheep on His right are blessed to inherit the kingdom prepared since the creation of the world because they fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed strangers, clothed the naked, and cared for the sick and imprisoned.
In contrast, the goats on His left are rebuked for failing to serve others. Jesus declares, “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.”
Jesus came for sinners and the weak, and as His followers, we are called to emulate God’s love by serving the vulnerable and marginalized. Interestingly, those on the right did not even realize their acts of kindness, showing that their service was so natural and genuine it became an unconscious way of life. True love manifests in selfless actions that require no recognition.
During this Advent season, this teaching urges us to reflect on our lives. Advent is a time to remember Jesus' first coming and to prepare for His return. Just as Christ came to bring light and life to the world, we are called to extend His love to “the least of these” in our daily lives.
Prayer: Lord, I praise You for coming to this earth for the lowly, for sinners like me. Though my life may seem insignificant, You love me deeply and came to save the lost, the broken, and the forgotten. My hope rests in You alone.
Just as You came in love, I ask for the grace to love You and to love others. Open my eyes to see those around me, especially the weak, the unseen, the hopeless, and even those who do not know You. Help me to live a life that reveals Your love to all people, reflecting Your light in this world. Lord, let my hands, heart, and actions testify to Your compassion, and may I serve others with the same selfless love You have shown me. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.