Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Our mission to the last, least and the lost
 Mathew 25: 31-40

VS.40 “In as much as  ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”  
It is always amazing that Jesus, Son of God and the great teacher, identified with those who are considered the least. This is so radically different from the world standard. The world sees people as resources, from which one can draw benefits.  The world gathers around those who are great and neglects the marginalized. But, we see that Jesus who is truly the most influential and greatest personality that ever walked on the earth identified with the last, least and lost.
It is not just people who commit outwardly sins like murder and adultery that are cursed into eternal fire. People can be guilty for what they did not do, as well. This really prompts us to check the reality within our own heart.
The needy in our life might be a friend who is sick, one who is heavy-hearted or having any other type of need.  Each time we pretend not to see or hear or respond to their needs or assume someone else will take care of it, is a failure to identify with Jesus and grieves the heart of God who wants to use us to be the agents of His love and sources of blessing. The natural attitude towards sins of omission is much like the response of the cursed, “Lord, when did we see you hungry”. It is so easy not even to recognize or be aware of it.
Jesus never ceased to work, reach out and touch people in His three years of ministry.  He was without a doubt busy. So there is no time to relax. The reality is that there are so many who are needy and broken. The passage reminds us that there is a lot of work to be done. Let us be faithful to each person that God brings into our life. It also reminds us that there is no excuse not to love one another. We must constantly fight against the passivity, laziness and self-centeredness within.
This is one of the most vivid parables and the lesson is clear as crystal that God will judge us according to our response to human need. His judgment will not take into account the knowledge we have amassed or the fame we have acquired or the fortune that we have gained. He will judge us on how we have helped our fellow beings.
PRAYER
Loving God, help us to say ‘yes’ to the challenges that come our way, make us the people who heal each other, who grow strong together, moving towards the common dream for a new heaven and new earth in the power of   Your love. Amen
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When we serve others, we serve God.
 
Christian Education Forum

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