Loving the Least

Recognizing Christ in the Forgotten

Love in Action

Serving Christ in Others

“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.’”

— Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

In this verse, Jesus speaks about the final judgment, where He separates the righteous from the unrighteous. What is striking is the criteria He uses: not theological knowledge, social status, or religious rituals, but acts of kindness toward those in need. The “least of these”—the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned—are not just recipients of charity; they are representatives of Christ Himself.

Seeing Jesus in Others

This passage challenges us to shift our perspective. Often, we are tempted to serve based on personal preference or convenience, but Jesus calls us to recognize His presence in those who are overlooked. When we feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and visit the sick, we are not just doing a good deed—we are serving Jesus Himself. This aligns with Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.” Every person we encounter bears the image of God, and our treatment of them reflects our relationship with Christ. To love the least is to love Him.

Faith Expressed in Action

Jesus’ words reveal that true faith is always active. James 2:17 reminds us, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Christianity is not just about right belief but about living out that belief in love. William Barclay puts it well: “Christianity is not a matter of theological arguments but of practical service. The world will not care how much we know until it knows how much we care.”

Mother Teresa embodied this verse when she said, “Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” She saw Christ in the poorest of the poor and treated them with the dignity they deserved. If we truly grasp Jesus’ words, our outlook on service changes. Every simple act—offering a meal, listening to someone’s pain, encouraging the lonely—becomes sacred worship.

A Kingdom Perspective

In a world that values success, influence, and power, Jesus tells us to prioritize the forgotten and neglected. The kingdom of God does not measure greatness by wealth or status, but by how we love and serve others.

This passage is a call to action:

• Look for Christ in others—especially in those whom society ignores.

• Live out your faith through action—make love visible through service.

• See every act of kindness as worship—honoring Jesus by loving whom He loves.

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to see You in the least of these. Give me a heart that serves, not for recognition, but out of love for You. Help me to be attentive to the needs around me and to see every act of kindness as an opportunity to glorify You. May my life reflect Your compassion, mercy, and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.