Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples when they minister to people who are “hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and in prison”, they are actually serving Him. Jesus said, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me”, and He continued, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse forty-three of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said, “I was a stranger … naked … sick … and in prison” where we read:
I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not:
sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.
The verse reads, “I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not:” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “I was a stranger” which means “Jesus was a foreigner or as one not known”, “and you took me not in” or “and those upon Jesus' left hand did not gather, join in or assemble with Him”: “naked” which means “without clothing and raiment” “and you clothed me not” or “and those upon Jesus' left hand did not provide garments or clothes for Him”. Matthew shared how Jesus identified two other areas, “a stranger and naked” where the nations and people upon His “left hand” did not supply His wants or need.
The verse goes on to say, “sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.” Matthew continued with Jesus' word, “sick” which means “weak, with infirmity and feeble”, “and in prison” which means “and incarcerated and under guard and watch”, “and you visited me not” which means “and those upon His left hand did not look upon or after, inspect, examine or go to see Jesus”. Matthew shared how Jesus added “sick and in prison” to the list of areas of need where those upon His “left hand” neglected to minister to Him.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see more of the direct relationship between Jesus and those who are “strangers, naked, sick and in prison”. When Jesus' disciples minister to people who have these needs, they are actually serving Jesus Himself. God knew all these conditions would be in the world after “sin” entered, and He began the process of “redemption” whereby people could be in a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Afterward, they are to “serve others” as He “served”, and when needs arise, the disciples of Jesus are to minister to Him through meeting those needs. May all who read these words hear what Jesus said Jesus to the people upon His “left hand” who rather than ministering to Him, neglected Him to their own demise.
Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the “Lord, when did we see you , hungry, thirsty, a stranger, or naked, or sick or in prison?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
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