Jesus was talking about caring for people who were in need of help. He said that after everything is done, he’ll be thanking people for helping him. He said that they will wonder when they helped him. He said that he’ll tell them

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

I’ve talked about this passage for several years. I have used it as a measure of ministry.  But I never understood a key piece of it until last week.

I have always understood Jesus to talk about anyone who is in need. That isn’t what Jesus says. He says this is help for “one of the least of these brothers of mine.”

We can, I suppose, argue for the family of all humanity, but Jesus never does. When he is told that his mother and brothers are looking for him (Matthew 12), he specifically points to his disciples and says, “here are my mother and brothers.”

And if his followers are his family, then in Matthew 25 Jesus is talking about how his followers treat each other. If we know other followers of Jesus who are hungry or thirsty or strangers or need clothing or sick or in prison, we are responsible to help them.

That’s hard.

Because they should have more faith. Because they are in trouble because they haven’t managed their resources well. Because they might be offended if we help. Because we don’t want anyone to know about our need because they might think that we aren’t spiritual enough. Because we don’t want to accept charity. Because the deacons might not want to help.

But it is love for each other at just these times that says, “hey!  These people really love each other.”