He Takes It Personally

Categories: Devotional,Matthew,Acts,Philippians

How are you treating other Christians?

Jesus said that on judgment day all humanity will be divided into two groups, “the sheep and the goats” (Matthew 25:31-46).

Don’t you find it amazing that Jesus so identifies with his people that when someone helps one of his own he takes it personally as helping himself?

Some understand that parable to be saying that whatever group you find yourself in on that day (the sheep or the goats) will be determined by how you treated the poor in general, what you did and didn’t do for them in this life.

But in this instance is Jesus talking about compassion for the general populace? I wonder.

Doesn’t he say that what is done by the sheep (and not done by the goats) is done “for one of the least of these brothers of mine” (Matthew 25:40, 45)?

It seems that in this case anyway, Jesus is not talking about helping humanity in general but Christians in particular.

Here, he is saying placement at judgment day will be based on how people helped or did not help his followers who were hungry, sick, thirsty, naked, and in prison.

Don’t you find it amazing that Jesus so identifies with his people that when someone helps one of his own he takes it personally as helping himself?

The opposite is true as well. When Saul persecuted Christians he was in effect mistreating Jesus (Acts 9:4). The good news is that Saul-the-Goat changed into Paul-the-Sheep who poured out his life in service and sacrifice for his fellow Christians (Phil 2:17).

So how are you treating other brothers and sisters in Jesus, even the least of us?

If you are a true Christian you will go to great lengths to help other Christians. That is how you will prove that you have become a true follower of Jesus.

Now that’s something to Celebrate!

Author: Toby Larson

Toby Larson leads Celebration International. He is a husband and father of 5. Whether he's teaching, hitting tennis balls, sailing a Hobie, serving in Asia, skiing on water or snow, Toby is passionate about the love of God and the love of life. Read more ...