This past Sunday we continued in our special 4-part series called: GO – Until the Whole World Hears. If you missed week two, you can catch up on Facebook now.
In the Gospels as Jesus was asked what the “greatest commandment” is, Jesus answered this way: And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-40 ESV) As we explored Matthew 25:31-46, I hope you were struck by the incredible simplicity of seeing this love lived out.
As we read through the Scripture Sunday, we saw that those who were true followers of Jesus revealed this by their actions. Jesus said that these, His true followers, had shown Him great compassion. Jesus said that they had fed Him when He was hungry, given Him a drink when He was thirsty, clothed Him when He was naked, and that they had visited Him when He was sick and in prison. I find it fascinating how those who had expressed these wonderful acts of compassion responded to Jesus, they simply ask “when” did we do these things?”
We have all heard the response of the King, but it is worth repeating and reflecting over: “‘I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:40 ESV) I am reminded that not only does Jesus care about “the least of these,” but that He notices their struggles, He seems to even hurt along with them, and any act of compassion to them is an act of compassion to Him. We would do well to remember that Jesus not only noticed the lost, broken, and needy, but that He had compassion on them. (i.e., Matthew 9:36 and Matthew 15:32)
Do you remember that Jesus also noticed you when you were lost, broken, and desperately in need of His grace? Or, after years of knowing, following, and serving Jesus, has your heart grown cold to the incredible grace and love He has shown you. If you would honestly pause and humbly consider this, you might be startled to realize that even though you didn’t mean to, that you have indeed forgotten. If you aren’t sure, ask yourself this question: do I show others compassion and grace? Do I notice the broken and hurting? Am I concerned for those who are lost?
Oh that we would be a people who noticed those who Jesus notices! Today I want to challenge you to remember that when you do acts of compassion, not only are you doing these things for Jesus, but often as if you are doing them to Jesus Himself. This often opens up incredible doors into the lives of those who don’t know Jesus and gives you a chance to share the reason for your hope.
Please know that I am praying for each of you today. My prayer is that God would place people in your path that need to experience to love of the Savior. That He would give you the opportunity to be His hands and feet in this desperate world. I’m praying you’d slow down long enough to notice others and to show His incredible love, grace, and compassion. Yes its true, we can’t meet every need… but He can. However, are we faithfully meeting the needs that He has empowered us to? The challenge is out there, now its up to you to respond in faith.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34 ESV)
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