The Least of these

 “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 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, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:34 – 40 (New International Version)

Have you ever wondered just who would be the least of these that are mentioned in this scripture?

                                                                                                              

He asked us to take care of them,

to feed and clothe and visit them. 

So could you tell by looking?

Explain now if you please -

can you even picture who God calls one of the least of these?

Did you see him on that busy street,

a man – “the least of these”?

Unsteady steps in front of me –

a heavy load I could not see.

He doesn’t stand out in a crowd, but blends in with the scenery,

He looks too much like you and me to be one of the least of these.

A mother in the checkout line,

she’s one – “the least of these.”

She counts her money carefully.

Her smile is forced, not calm, or free.

But then you might not notice her returning this - and these.

She looks too much like you and me to be one of the least of these.

With graying hair and fading sight,

she’s one – “the least of these.”

Alone, though in a crowd she’ll be.

She’s here, but without family.

With just a cane to hold her hand, she walks on gingerly.

Forgotten yes, by you and me, she’s just one of the least of these.

They cross our paths most everyday

But sometimes no one sees.

Hunger, thirst and those who need a bit of help somewhere,

the stranger who calls out for love - for someone else to care,

the sick, the aged, or those trapped in prisons of the soul,  

all need the contact of a friend to help them be made whole.

They cross our paths most everyday

Will we walk in the Master’s way and help the least of these?

Diane Gruchow January 2015