“‘我实在告诉你们：这些事你们既做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上，就是做在我身上了。’” - 太 25:40

“你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人。”（马太福音 7:12）耶稣讲了这个比喻，用来强调如何实践这一金科玉律。

你若读完整个比喻，便会留意到，耶稣把舍己的款待与永恒的奖赏连起来。衪甚至说，我们怎样对待其他按神形像被造的人，我们便是如此对待神自己了。藉着爱其他人，我们就是在爱神了。

我们可能会点头称是，然后捐赠一些金钱或食物给露宿者之家或食品分发站。然而耶稣明确地说：“你们给我吃 … 你们留我住 … 你们给我穿 … 你们来看我。”捐献再加上身体力行的参与，方为敬重神的最佳组合。

今天，在你的社区中会有人感到被漠视和遗忘、尤其是那些身处令人羞愧境况的人。想想那些正在面对精神病、孤单、被虐待、内疚、失业、经济危机、婚姻问题、或儿女不与神同行的人们，他们处在挣扎中。求神帮助你想起一个面临这样处境的人，然后藉问候卡、电讯、探访、或邀请喝咖啡，来亲身接触他们。

你可以将此视为与耶稣的一次约会；你或许会在他们身上看见耶稣，而他们或许也会在你身上看见衪呢。

（BMB）

祷告

满有怜悯的神，你不会视人为被遗弃的，你看他们为宝贵，又住在他们里面。求你让我们有你的心肠来善待他人。惟愿我们爱他人、向他人学习、又在他们身上见到你。阿们。

马太福音 25:31-40

31“当人子在他荣耀里同着众天使降临的时候，要坐在他荣耀的宝座上。
32万民都要聚集在他面前，他要把他们分别出来，好像牧羊的分别绵羊山羊一般：
33把绵羊安置在右边，山羊在左边。
34于是，王要向那右边的说：‘你们这蒙我父赐福的，可来承受那创世以来为你们所预备的国。
35因为我饿了，你们给我吃；渴了，你们给我喝；我做客旅，你们留我住；
36我赤身露体，你们给我穿；我病了，你们看顾我；我在监里，你们来看我。’
37义人就回答说：‘主啊，我们什么时候见你饿了给你吃，渴了给你喝？
38什么时候见你做客旅留你住，或是赤身露体给你穿？
39又什么时候见你病了或是在监里，来看你呢？’
40王要回答说：‘我实在告诉你们：这些事你们既做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上，就是做在我身上了。’

See Them, See Me

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” - Matthew 25:40

Jesus told this parable to highlight some key ways to live out the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

If you read the entire parable, you will notice that Jesus links sacrificial hospitality with eternal reward. He goes so far as to say that the way we treat other imagebearers of God is the way we treat God himself. We love God by loving others.

We may nod in agreement and then give some money or food to a homeless shelter or a food pantry. But Jesus specifically says, “You gave me something to eat . . . you invited me in . . . you clothed me . . . you came to visit me.” Contributions coupled with personal involvement are a God-honoring combination.

There are people in your community today who are feeling neglected and forgotten, especially those whose situations may cause them to feel ashamed. Think of someone struggling with mental health issues, loneliness, abuse, guilt, job loss, financial crisis, marital trouble, or children not walking with God. Ask God to bring someone to your mind, and reach out personally with a card, call, visit, or coffee invitation.

Consider it a date with Jesus; you might just see him in them, and they may see him in you.

(BMB)

Prayer

God of compassion, give us your heart for people who are not outcasts in your eyes but precious ones in whom you dwell. May we love them, learn from them, and see you in them. Amen.