In Matthew 25:40, Jesus declares, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” These words were not merely a suggestion but a defining standard for how we, as His followers, are to live. The way we treat the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned, and the broken is the way we treat Christ Himself.
In a world obsessed with success, status, and self-promotion, Jesus flips the script. He calls us to look beyond ourselves and serve those whom society often forgets. And in doing so, we not only please the Lord—we change the world.
Jesus: The Servant of the Least
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently moved toward the marginalized. He didn’t seek the powerful or the popular; He sought the poor, the sick, the outcast.
- He touched the leper (Matthew 8:2-3), a man whom society had deemed untouchable. Rather than recoil in fear, Jesus reached out with love and healed him.
- He ate with sinners and tax collectors (Matthew 9:10-13), proving that no one was too far gone to experience the love of God.
- He healed the blind and the lame (Matthew 21:14), restoring not only their health but their dignity.
- He defended the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), showing mercy where others demanded condemnation.
- He fed the hungry (Mark 6:30-44), not only with words of life but with physical food, because He cared about the whole person.
Everywhere Jesus went, He sought the least, the forgotten, the broken. And He called His followers to do the same.
The Apostles: Continuing the Mission
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the early church took up His mission. The book of Acts records the radical generosity and service of the first Christians:
- The apostles healed the sick and cast out demons (Acts 5:12-16), demonstrating that the power of Jesus was still at work.
- They ensured that widows were cared for (Acts 6:1-7), refusing to let the most vulnerable be overlooked.
- They gave sacrificially so that “there were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:34).
- Paul and Barnabas risked their lives to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, expanding God’s kingdom to those who had never heard (Acts 13:46-49).
They understood what Jesus had taught them: serving the least is not an optional part of Christianity—it is the very heart of it.
The Legacy of Christian Service
The mission of serving the least didn’t end with the apostles. Throughout history, bold men and women of God have carried on this call, leaving behind a legacy of love and transformation.
- Mother Teresa, who spent her life caring for the dying in the slums of Calcutta, once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Her unwavering commitment to the poor reflected Christ’s love in action.
- St. Frances Cabrini, the first American saint, dedicated her life to serving immigrants, orphans, and the sick, building hospitals and schools that continue her work today.
- George Müller, a man of radical faith, trusted God alone to provide for thousands of orphans in England, never once asking for donations yet receiving everything needed through prayer.
- Samaritan’s Purse, under the leadership of Franklin Graham, rushes to disaster zones around the world, offering food, shelter, medical aid, and the hope of Jesus to those in desperate need.
These individuals and organizations have proven what Jesus said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Their obedience to God’s call has transformed millions of lives.
Why This Matters Now
We live in a time when suffering is immense. Children are starving. Families are displaced by war. Human trafficking is destroying lives. And in the midst of it all, Jesus still asks: “Who will go?”
This is not someone else’s responsibility. It is ours. As followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet, to serve with the same love and urgency as He did.
The Call to Action
The need is great, but the call is simple: serve the least. This might look different for each of us, but here are ways you can start today:
- Serve Locally. Find a way to help those in your community. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Visit a nursing home. Help a struggling family in your church.
- Go to the Nations. If God is calling you to missions, don’t wait. Say yes. Step out in faith. The world is waiting.
- Give Generously. Not everyone can go, but everyone can give. Ministries like Hasten Nations are on the front lines, rescuing children, preaching the gospel, and bringing hope to the suffering. Your financial support makes this possible.
- Pray Boldly. Pray for the lost, the hurting, and those already serving. Prayer changes things.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 leave no room for passivity. At the end of our lives, we will stand before Him, and He will say either: “Well done, good and faithful servant,” or “I never knew you.” The difference will be in how we lived—how we loved—how we served.
So, let’s say yes. Let’s rise up. Let’s be the generation that refuses to ignore the least of these.
If your heart is stirred, don’t walk away unchanged. Give. Go. Serve. Join us at Hasten Nations and be part of a mission that changes eternity.
For His glory. For His children. For the least of these.
