Doing for others?

In Jesus last week of His earthly mission, He prophesies about the destruction of the Herodian Temple. In response to His announcement, His disciples ask Him when these things will take place, which launches Him in to a series of parables about end times and His future role. In this passage He speaks plainly, not in a parable.

“When the Son of Man (Jesus) comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep (believers/disciples) from the goats (non-Christians). He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous (believing sheep) will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’*

Matthew 25:31-40

This is the Bible account David Pendleton was referencing last week when he talked about the upcoming prison ministry opportunity. As I read this my thoughts were, “Am I doing what I should be doing for others, particularly the poor, the down and out, the prisoners?”