The VisitorFebruary 10, 2015 |
 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. —Matthew 25:36  Read: Matthew 25:31-40 A friend asked a newly retired man what he was doing now that he was no longer working full-time. “I describe myself as a visitor,” the man replied. “I go see people in our church and community who are in the hospital or care facilities, living alone, or just need someone to talk and pray with them. And I enjoy doing it!” My friend was impressed by this man’s clear sense of purpose and his care for others. A few days before Jesus was crucified, He told His followers a story that emphasized the importance of visiting people in need. “The King will say to those on His right hand, ‘. . . I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me’” (Matt. 25:34,36). When asked, “When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” the King will answer, “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (vv.39-40). Our ministry of visiting has two beneficiaries—the person visited and Jesus Himself. To go to a person with help and encouragement is direct service to our Lord. Is there someone who would be encouraged by your visit today?—David C. McCasland Lord Jesus, help me to see others with Your eyes. Show me what it means to demonstrate Your love to those around me. Thank You for the love You give to me that I can share. Compassion is understanding the troubles of others, coupled with an urgent desire to help. INSIGHT: In today’s passage, Jesus tells His followers that love for our neighbor is an expression of our love for God. Only a few chapters before this (Matt. 22), He tells them that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor. |
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