The Least of These

Everyone wants to do something great for God, something noticeable and significant. Yet, Jesus tells us to care for the marginalized rather than the rich, beautiful, and influential.

In this passage, Jesus says he will return to judge all people. At the judgment, when the righteous don’t remember ever seeing Jesus and ministering to him, he says, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

Numerous times a week, I drive to where my dad, who has advanced dementia, lives so I can feed him lunch. Some days, my dad does not speak. So, I just tell him about the day or hold his hand.

When I entered his “neighborhood”, I saw a man shuffling down the hallway. I greeted him, pointed toward the dining room, and told him that it’s lunchtime. A woman, wearing a foam helmet, barely stood five feet tall. I couldn’t understand a word she said and I don’t think she would understand much of what I’d say either. So, I smiled at her and said her name. I offered her my attention. It’s all I had to give, but for the moment, it was enough.

Simple, unremarkable, often unnoticed, actions. Yet, these precious elderly people are some of the “least of these” for whom God calls me to care.

Who is God calling you to care for today?

Heavenly Father, thank you that you know and care for people we often overlook. Remind me daily that whatever I do for the least of these, I do for you. Amen.

Go Deeper — Right now the elderly are particularly vulnerable, and many are frightened. So are children and those who don't know the hope of Christ. How can you reassure the least of these, despite the isolation measures in place where you live?