fishwitz - Matthew 25:40

[bradmc]

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.


There’s a jazz club where I used to play that served a wonderful dish of Cajun red beans and rice. The generous dose of peppery spices never failed to clear my sinuses, and leave me teary-eyed. Ray Boltz wrote a song in the 80s that used to have the same effect. “Thank you for giving of yourself. I am a life that was changed.” I cannot picture the scene he described without crying. In fact, I’m tearing up just writing this. This verse hits me the same way. We think often of Mother Teresa when this image comes up, but I want to think of a French horn player named Wayne. He was my roommate freshman year in music school. I was deep into persecuting Christians with my quick wit and extensive knowledge of Bible verses. But when I tried to confuse Wayne, he didn’t try to argue with me. Instead, he prayed for me. He said, “I love Jesus, and I know He loves you.” I was worth less than “a slug who’s already been salted” but Wayne loved me like I was Jesus Himself.

I'd love to be there to say “thank you” at Wayne’s “Welcome home party.” But more importantly, I want to “pay it forward.” I can’t really pay Wayne back, but I can do for someone else like Wayne did for me. I can minister “unto one of the least of these.” I think Wayne would prefer it that way. This verse tells me that Jesus definitely does!I'll pray for you, and will you please pray for me? Pray that He'll help us see Him in each person whom He puts in our path, that we might honor the Christ in him or her, and truly minister “unto one of the least of these”. Let’s honor Christ in our actions.

Thanks for taking time to read this! And Wayne, thank you!

Stevene