To Be Fed What?

I had an interesting conversation with my dad the other night. We were talking about coming before our Father in heaven... and when he asks you what you've done... what would you say? My dad (for as long as I can recall) would always talk about how he would never compare to Mother Theresa. She was such an amazing woman of God - and my father was no where near her level of Godliness.

So I asked my dad, "What do you think made her so much better in God's eyes than you?" His response was "Look at her selfless life. She took care of the sick, and the needy and the poor. Just like God said - when you do this to the least you've done it to me. And I haven't." I listened to my dad - and before I could even pray about how to respond (because I love him dearly!) God instructed me to look up the verse my dad was referring to.

Matthew 25:40 (English Standard Version)
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

As I read this God spoke to me. And it keeps coming to mind - and God asked me to share it.

I've read this passage many times before - but God gave me a new perspective on it. One that is even more challenging than my old perspective.

Matthew 25:35-40 (ESV) For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'



For I was hungry and thirsty and you gave me food and drink: but Jesus also told us that He is our true food and drink. That He is better than bread and water... John 6:55 (ESV) "For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink."

I was a stranger and you welcomed me: All those who call themselves children of God - weren't we at one time strangers brought into this family... Ephesians 2:12 & 16 22 (ESV) But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ."remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." Ephesians 2:19(ESV) "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,"


I was sick, and you visited me: we are ALL sick. Jesus came for the sick - not the healthy. Mark 2:17 (ESV) And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."



When I was in prison, you came to me. We are all imprisoned by something. Chained to our past, present and future sins. Galatians 3:22 (NLT) But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.


And being naked... that one has SO many meanings. But the one I love is 2 Corinthians 5:2-3 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.


I don't know what's harder... meeting someone's physical needs or spiritual needs. What I do know is that looking at this scripture has challenged me and ministered to me in such a profound way.

So the next time I see a stranger who is hungry or thirsty, naked, sick or imprisoned... how will I feed them? Quench their thirst? Clothe them? Will I welcome them? Will I care for them? Will I visit them?

Will I step out of my own understanding and grab hold of what God is calling me to do?

Will you?

Here is truth - With Him and Him alone... I can... and will.