But the brother of humble circumstances is
to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation,
because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a
scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty
of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his
pursuits will fade away. James 1:9-11
As we take a look at
Jesus’ call to minister to the afflicted from Matthew
25, we see His identification with the poor and needy of our world. Jesus shares His appreciation for those who
will step away from their own needs and reach out to others. This group of people is quite remarkable in
the world's setting, for their beliefs are displayed by their actions. Life for them has been radically transformed
from the former life of preoccupation of self to a preoccupation with Jesus’
call on their time and resources. In
this life the "Least of These" have
become important. Let's call them the "L.O.T.s"
Jesus has and
continues to be concerned with the "L.O.T.s" in this life. They are people
who, whether self-inflicted or by travesty of life, have become down and out.
They are often viewed as "throw aways" and "burdens" of
society.
Picture the scene…the
down and outs, the "L.O.T.s" are roaming the streets looking
for a helping hand and the calloused people of the world are walking by with
pointing fingers and disgust written upon their faces. Then one comes along who resembles Jesus.
It's not the appearance, but the attitude and actions that resembles
Jesus. This one is so in love with
Jesus, they have been conformed to the image of Christ Himself (Romans 8:29).
The very nature of Jesus Christ has become their nature. In everyday moments in life they saw the best
and worst in people, but it did not matter, they simply reacted as Jesus would.
To them there was no other way to live but faithful.
Jesus made it clear to His disciples what following Him
meant in terms of service.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:35
Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest." Luke 9:48 Everyone can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul empowered by love.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:35
Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest." Luke 9:48 Everyone can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul empowered by love.
