Serve Like Jesus
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on his royal throne. 32 The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats. 33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, “My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. 35 When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, 36 and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.” 37 Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink? 38 When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear 39 or visit you while you were sick or in jail?” 40 The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” 41 Then the king will say to those on his left, “Get away from me! You are under God's curse. Go into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 I was hungry, but you did not give me anything to eat, and I was thirsty, but you did not give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger, but you did not welcome me, and I was naked, but you did not give me any clothes to wear. I was sick and in jail, but you did not take care of me.” 44 Then the people will ask, “Lord, when did we fail to help you when you were hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in jail?” 45 The king will say to them, “Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me.” 46 Then Jesus said, “Those people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life.”
Matthew 25:31-46
Memory Verse
1 John 3:18-19
18 Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it. 19 When we love others, we know we belong to the truth, and we feel at ease in the presence of God.
A new family moved in next door, and James was excited. They had a boy his own age, named Michael. He hoped they could be friends. On Friday, the new neighbors came over for dinner. While he was excited about meeting the new neighbor, James wondered, “How can I be a good host?”
When the new family arrived for dinner, James helped his dad take coats and hang them up. After dinner, he invited Michael to pick what they could do together. Michael wanted to play video games, so James let him use the best game controller. Later, James told his parents that it was fun meeting Michael’s family. It felt good to serve others and share. That night, James prayed and asked God to help him to always be generous to others and thanked him for his new friend, Michael.
Jesus commanded his disciples to feed the hungry, welcome strangers, give clothing to anyone in need, take care of the sick, and visit those in prison (Matthew 25:34-40). When we do these things for any of God’s people, it is like we are doing it for him. As God’s children, he wants us to think about the needs of other people before our own.
Following Jesus means following his example. Kind and generous, Jesus came to serve rather than be served (Mark 10:45). When we treat people the way Jesus did, they experience his love for them.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for being the greatest example of showing love and care for others. Help me to care for others the same way you care for the world. Amen.Related Resources
Natasha Menifee
Natasha Menifee is an educator, writer and most importantly a child of God. She has taught in public schools for 12 years and holds two master's degrees from Georgetown College in Learning & Behavior Disorders and Teacher Leadership. Natasha also serves as the Christian Education Director at her church. She is the proud mother of two daughters. For more information about her, visit www.natashamenifee.com.