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? Why did He live facing judgment, misunderstanding, and opposition?

He lived as He did because He wanted 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 how you and I try to live our lives.

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

There are people out there, hungering and thirsting. They need to be clothed. 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. In order to care for the needs of others, you must admit that their need is also your need.