Extreme Makeover World Edition
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to save me! Without Your love, I would be lost in my own sin. Because You have saved me, I ask that You would help me to do everything for the glory of Jesus. Help me to see Jesus in others, so that when I serve them, I’m essentially serving You. Grant me eyes to see You in others. I ask this in Jesus’ name. . . Amen.
God’s Word Today—Matthew 25:34-40
34 “Then the King will say to those on the right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you? 40 And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
Reflecting on God’s Word
When we serve others in need, we essentially are serving Jesus. Jesus declares in Matthew 25:40, “I assure you, when you (do good works) to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you (are) doing it to me.” In this passage Jesus links the poor and needy with himself. When He says the “least of my brothers and sisters,” He’s referring to the overlooked, the broken, and the downtrodden. He’s referring to our neighbors, our friends, and even our enemies who are in need. When we treat the “least” of these people with love, we’re loving Jesus Himself.
It sometimes can be hard to see Jesus in others, especially when they have a “rough” exterior. Their clothes may be a bit smelly and old, their hair might be matted, their manners might be lacking, but despite all of these things, Jesus is present. The challenge is to look beyond the exterior and see them through the lens of Jesus’ love, grace, and mercy. In a very real sense, we were less than perfect when Jesus found us, therefore, we’re called to love those who are imperfect. When we make this our life ambition, we will see Jesus everywhere we look!
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
What question(s) does Jesus answer in verse 40? Who is asking the questions?
Why do you think the “righteous” will ask these questions on judgment day? (especially when we already have the answer now in God’s Word).
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
How does Jesus make Himself visible in your life? How does Matthew 25:34-40 help to answer this?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
Do you see Jesus in those you serve? Why or why not?
Is it easy to see Jesus? After reading Matthew 25:34-40, does it make it easier to see Him in others?
Is it easy to serve others? Why or why not?
Thoughts
The students of New Life’s youth ministries take seriously God’s call to love others in need. Last weekend, many of them visited those suffering with dementia in the nursing home, chatted with Veteran’s in the hospital, cleaned and fixed gutters at the home(s) of the elderly, helped fix up the “Bridge” facilities, and raised support for World Vision as they fasted to feed the hungry around the world. Each of these, were expressions of God’s love meeting tangible needs. They were sharing the light of Jesus Christ with each person they touched. They were radically set ablaze with God’s desire for an “extreme makeover” of their community and world!
Just like the teens, God is calling all of us to make a difference. When we gather together in Jesus’ name, to love people and to serve them, God’s mighty hand works abundantly. There were many faces we saw throughout the weekend, but one face that remained constant was Jesus’. He made Himself present, and will make Himself present in those around us each day, when we make it our priority to serve others in love.