The Least Of These
Perhaps a better translation than "least of these" is "however humble" (New English Bible). The least of the brothers and sisters of Jesus are those persons who are vulnerable. They are the socially, psychologically or economically disadvantaged, such as the sick, the poor, the mentally and physically disabled.
Feb 24, 202298.4K Shares1.3M Views
Perhaps a better translation than "leastof these" is "however humble" (New English Bible). The least of the brothers and sisters of Jesus are those persons who are vulnerable. They are the socially, psychologically or economically disadvantaged, such as the sick, the poor, the mentally and physically disabled.
What Does The Least Of These Mean?
Not that some humans are less valuable than others, as if there were some sort of hierarchy of worth among humans, with some at the top (such as the affluent and self-sufficient) and others at the bottom (such as the impoverished or those who are materially and financially reliant).
On the contrary, all human beings have the same inherent worth or value, ontologically speaking, because they all have the same essence, which is a human nature. For lack of a better phrase, all humans are created in "the image of God" (cf. Genesis 1:26-27). In this sense, all humans are on an equal footing.
What Is The Meaning Of Matthew 25 40?
In response to Jesus' approbation, the group characterized as "righteous" would react with a series of questions. When this judgment happens in the end times, many of those who will be subjected to it will have never met Jesus face to face.
How could they have met His wants if they didn't have the means (Matthew 25:35–39)?
Christ, who is correctly represented as the King (Matthew 25:31), responds to their befuddlement.
According to Matthew 10:40–42, when a believer in Christ demonstrates love for Him via obedience (John 14:15), this demonstrates their service and dedication to Him. True faith is demonstrated through love for one's fellow believers (1 John 3:11; John 13:31–35). As a result, Jesus perceives the loving care that Christians provide for one another as though it were being done just for Him.
It's vital to remember that the reason these folks performed these wonderful deeds was that they were following Jesus' teachings and leading a truthful life. Following their confidence (Titus 3:5) in Him as the chosen ones of His Father, they demonstrated their commitment to Him via their actions. All of those who are His Father's sons and daughters are referred to as "brothers and sisters" by Jesus. Because they are all God's offspring and hence all His subjects, He is not only their King but also their spiritual brother. Jesus is devoted to His family and considers good that is done for them to be good that is done for Him.
What Does The Bible Say About Caring For The Least Of These?
The most vulnerable among Jesus' brothers and sisters are those who are the least in number and status. Those who are socially, psychologically, or economically disadvantaged, such as those who are sick, impoverished, or mentally or physically challenged, are among them.
Jesus is concerned about the plight of the poor.
He actually understands their predicament, having been impoverished and deliberately homeless for three years during his three years of service in the public sector (cf. Matthew 8:20).
The concerns of the impoverished and oppressed should preoccupy the minds of Jesus' disciples, just as they did for him.
You’re asking, “where is He?”
And you don’t know where to go now to find Him
You saw Him this morning
He was that man laying down on the park bench
You gave Him a blanket
You had a spare in the trunk for emergencies
And for the least of these...
When you love the least of these
With just a cup of cool water
Then you did it unto Me
When you love the angels sing
And you are welcome by My Father
when you love the least of these
You got home that evening
You had a long hard day at the office
The children were screaming
You cooked them supper
Then they begged you, “Please read to us.”
And after the story
You tucked them in with a prayer
O sweet memories
Of the least of these
When you love the least of these
With just a cup of cool water
Then you did it unto Me
When you love the angels sing
And you are welcome by My Father
when you love the least of these
Words and Music by Karl Kohlhase
© 2003 karl kohlhase
Featured on "The Least Of These"
Story Behind This Song...
(Read Matthew 25:31-46)
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink?....And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."
Isn't this the crucifixion's central message? If you claim to love God but do not demonstrate that love to people within our immediate grasp, you are proving ourselves untrue. On the other side, God embraces individuals who demonstrate their love by their daily actions of mercy, generosity, and kindness.
The opening stanza is believed as typical for a song about this subject. However, in the second stanza, it wanted to emphasize the idea. Literally.
you are grateful to be the parent of two small children. Each diaper change, each cup of water, and each bedtime tale after a long day's work are all opportunities to minister to the "least of these" and thereby touch the face of Jesus.
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