"Least of These"

Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

  We don’t know when God will call us to serve the “least of these.” Several weeks ago, about fifty miles from home, on a very busy interstate, I encountered a horrifying scene.  As I was driving, I noticed what I initially thought was a pile of rags on the side of the road.  However, as I drove past, I saw that beneath the rags, there was a face-down torso and a partially exposed left leg, while the rags covered the rest of the upper body.  I kept driving for about half a mile when my brain finally registered what my eyes had seen, and I pulled over. I was stunned by the sight. “What, now!?” I thought.  Shaken, I immediately called my husband, who told me to call 911 right away.  While waiting for help to arrive, a flood of questions raced through my mind.  How long had he been lying there?  How many other travelers on this busy interstate failed to see the body?  How did he end up like that?  Was he the victim of a crime?  Or was he the perpetrator someone disposed of?  Were his family and friends out searching for him? 

  I was lost in my thoughts when a couple of travelers pulled up in front of me and asked, “Did you see that leg under the rags?” Boy!  I was relieved to realize that someone else had seen the body, and I wasn’t just imagining things!  As they approached, I assured them that I had already called for help.  Since we were quite a distance from the body, neither of us wanted to go out there and approach it.  Shortly after, the ambulance finally arrived.  I was surprised to see only the ambulance coming, with no local sheriff in sight. As the paramedics attended to the body, I was hoping and praying that he was alive.  As we waited for the responders to ask us any questions, it was getting late.  One of the travelers finally suggested it was best to leave.  We all agreed and left this poor soul in the care of others, not knowing what would happen.  I was still praying he was alive and would be reunited with his loved ones. 

The next morning, after some reflection, I remembered a partial Bible verse with the words “least of these.” It was from Matthew 25:40 states “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Who are the “least of these?” They are those mentioned in Matthew 25:36-39: “Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee?  Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in?  or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” One word that no longer holds meaning for me since becoming a Christian is “coincidence.” Was it a “coincidence” that I happened to drive by and saw this poor man on the side of the road after so many others had passed him by?  Although it was unsettling to see an unconscious body on the side of the road, I thank God for allowing me to be there to help the “least of these.” It was that God used me as an answer to this man’s or someone else’s prayers, sending me to provide the help he needed.  Even when I doubted what I had witnessed, God sent a couple of travelers to confirm the sad sight. 

            Like I mentioned before, we don’t know when God will ask us to serve the “least of these.” But what will happen to those who see someone in need and refuse to help?  According to Matthew 25:45-46: “Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, ‘Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” God’s love is not ours to keep to ourselves.  As we grow in the Lord, the Bible encourages us to share his love with those He puts in our path.  I thank God for putting people in my path when I have found myself to be one of “the least of these.” Is there someone you know who is “least of these” in your family, church, or community?  Pray about how God can help you meet the needs of others where they are spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  God will give you all the tools you will need to be there for the “least of these.”

If you’re spiritually, emotionally, and physically bankrupt, please don’t stop praying, reading your Bible, or attending church because you don’t know how God will answer your prayer.