Their Need Is Your Need

by John Michalak

The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:40

Why did Jesus come and live here as an impoverished outcast?

He lived as He did to understand and embrace the human need for God. If Jesus had lived a life of isolated privilege, lacking nothing, staying only among those who loved and approved of Him—then He would have been just like the worst version of you and me.

We love to surround ourselves only with those who love us and accept us.

We fill our lives with material goods that dull our senses to the fact that we’re missing something.

But Jesus came to this earth and embraced a life among the least of these so He could show us how to truly depend on God and how to act as His agents in meeting the needs of others.

People who share our planet are hungering and thirsting. They’re behind bars of sin and suffering. They are in need and Jesus expects you to help meet their needs.

But to do this, you must first admit your own need. You must admit that you, too, are among the least of these. Before you can care for the needs of others, you must admit that their need is also your need.

Pray

Dear God,
Please open my eyes and my heart. Help me to see Your children in the faces of those I would normally look away from. Help me to realize that denying my help to those in need is to deny ministering to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.