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Brooksyne Weber
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Friday,
January 20, 2023
"The
Least of
These"
Message
summary: Today,
let us ask
ourselves,
when we come
into contact
with people
regarded by
the world as
the “least of
these”. “How
does God want
me to reach
out to those
considered the
least on
these?”
Note:
Podcast not
prepared for
this message.
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
In the late eighties and the early nineties we were involved with a humanitarian outreach available to third world families called "Healing the Children". The purpose was getting medical intervention for children from other countries with severe medical conditions where advanced treatment was unavailable in their own country.
At that time we, and several other families in our church in Northern Pennsylvania, became host families to these very needy children. Over the course of several years we hosted two boys and two girls from Guatemala, including Ester, as well as a girl from Ecuador and a boy from Afghanistan. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of our lifetime. Heber, our first child died several years ago but had some 20 years of life following his heart surgeries. We still have contact with the other two in Guatemala.
“Healing the Children” volunteers and airline attendants escorted the sick children from Guatemala and other countries to a U.S. Airport where they would then be transported to their host families. After they underwent life-saving surgery, recovery, and therapeutic intervention they would then be returned to their own families. Saying good-bye was the most difficult task for us emotionally after they’d lived with us as our own children for months at a time. Thankfully, Ester, the fourth child who came to us from the Guatemalan orphanage at three months of age, became a Weber in time!
It was such an honor to have helped these families whose children were not expected to live apart from the voluntary efforts and donated expenses from the hospitals, doctors, host families and the HTC voluntary staff who arranged for transportation, visas, etc. Children such as these are often looked upon by many, even in their own countries, as "the least of these".
The Bible teaches that one of the truest evidences of an authentic follower of Jesus Christ is our attitude and our response toward "the least of these". One of the last lessons Jesus taught before His death was on this subject. In Matthew 25:32ff He uses representative examples of those who might be referred to as losers, the unlovely, the damaged in society, etc. He called these "the least of these".
Our approach toward the “least of these” is proof of our true discipleship. In this parable the way we deal with the “least of these” determines whether we are a sheep or a goat.
I am heartened by examples of grace demonstrated to the least of these. All over the world today both institutionally and individually true followers of Christ are actively demonstrating compassion to a hurting, broken and sin-filled world. Some will give up their own life’s ambitions and resources to help others find meaning and purpose in life. I consider a medical doctor who has spent much of his career, risking his own health, working at a mission hospital deep in Africa where he treats a huge population of AIDS patients.
In
our own little
world we have
seen it often;
those who give
their time and
energy to
protect the
unborn by
reaching out
to those in a
crisis
pregnancy;
those who
expand their
family to
welcome
displaced,
abused or
orphaned
children;
those who
regularly
visit the
prisons
bringing the
hope of the
gospel to
inmates who
might
otherwise
perish in
hell; the
street
preacher who
faithfully
proclaims the
Scriptures in
the public
square to
mostly
scoffing,
uninterested
passersby;
compassionate
people who
embrace and
lovingly
engage the
mentally
and/or
physically
handicapped,
dedicated
workers who
risk their
lives to
deliver Bibles
to closed
countries
where
believers are
desperately
desiring a
copy of the
inspired Word
of God.
And, of
course, there
are so many
who cannot go
or do but give
abundantly of
their finances
to support
those who can.
This is only a
partial list
of so many
examples we
could write
about today.The needs are vast and always will be until we’re called home. The opportunities are unending and wide-ranging so that when we respond to God’s leading He utilizes our skills, our knowledge, our training and experiences in life. He equips us for that which He calls us to do.
Today, let us ask ourselves, when we come into contact with people regarded by the world as the “least of these”, “How does God want me to reach out to those considered the least on these?”
Daily
prayer: Loving
Father, we
don’t want to
turn the other
way when You
bring into our
view the
hurting and
neglected
people of the
world. When we
see the hungry
or thirsty,
the stranger
in need of
clothing, the
sick and
frail, those
imprisoned,
and the
countless
other
oppressing
needs among us
Your loving
compassion
compels us to
reach out in
whatever way
we can to be
an extension
of Your
kingdom. For
we know that
when we do it
for those
considered the
least on earth
we not only
empower and
bless them but
we also obey
and please
You. May the
“evidence of
the grace of
God” be
visible in our
attitudes and
in our actions
as we respond
to the
opportunities
You give us
everyday. In
the name of
Jesus we pray.
Amen.
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radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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