The True Measure of Discipleship
“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 25:40
On his first Sunday at a church of 10,000, a pastor decided to dress as a homeless man. His aim was to see how the congregation would respond to someone who appeared to be in need.
As he walked around the church’s perimeter, only three people out of 10,000 acknowledged him, and none offered help. When he entered the sanctuary, the ushers directed him to the back, and many congregants looked at him with judgment.
The service proceeded as usual until the moment came to introduce the new pastor. The congregation, excited and applauding, awaited the new leader. But when the "homeless man" stood up and walked to the front, the applause died down, and all eyes were on him. He took the microphone and recited a powerful passage from Matthew 25:34-40.
This passage describes how, on judgment day, Jesus will commend those who have fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, welcomed strangers, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited those in prison. Jesus reveals that when we do these acts of kindness to the least among us, we are actually doing them for Him.
After sharing these verses, the pastor told the congregation about his experience that morning, highlighting their lack of kindness and compassion. His words pierced the hearts of many, as he challenged them to move beyond mere attendance and become true disciples of Christ.
The story of the pastor serves as a stark reminder: following Jesus is not just about showing up or knowing the right answers. It’s about living out His teachings in every action and interaction. Jesus calls us to a higher standard, a life transformed by His love and characterized by kindness and compassion.
Today, reflect on how you respond to those around you. Are you living out the teachings of Jesus, or merely observing from a distance? Walk in the transformation that comes from truly following Christ, and let your actions reflect His love and grace to everyone you encounter.
On his first Sunday at a church of 10,000, a pastor decided to dress as a homeless man. His aim was to see how the congregation would respond to someone who appeared to be in need.
As he walked around the church’s perimeter, only three people out of 10,000 acknowledged him, and none offered help. When he entered the sanctuary, the ushers directed him to the back, and many congregants looked at him with judgment.
The service proceeded as usual until the moment came to introduce the new pastor. The congregation, excited and applauding, awaited the new leader. But when the "homeless man" stood up and walked to the front, the applause died down, and all eyes were on him. He took the microphone and recited a powerful passage from Matthew 25:34-40.
This passage describes how, on judgment day, Jesus will commend those who have fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, welcomed strangers, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited those in prison. Jesus reveals that when we do these acts of kindness to the least among us, we are actually doing them for Him.
After sharing these verses, the pastor told the congregation about his experience that morning, highlighting their lack of kindness and compassion. His words pierced the hearts of many, as he challenged them to move beyond mere attendance and become true disciples of Christ.
The story of the pastor serves as a stark reminder: following Jesus is not just about showing up or knowing the right answers. It’s about living out His teachings in every action and interaction. Jesus calls us to a higher standard, a life transformed by His love and characterized by kindness and compassion.
Today, reflect on how you respond to those around you. Are you living out the teachings of Jesus, or merely observing from a distance? Walk in the transformation that comes from truly following Christ, and let your actions reflect His love and grace to everyone you encounter.
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