The Ministry of Mercy
05/24/2025
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
- Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV)
Jesus paints a vivid picture of what true discipleship looks like, not in theory, but in action. These verses come from a powerful parable where the King separates the sheep from the goats based on what they did in response to the needs around them. And what’s striking is this: they didn’t realize that in serving others, they were serving Jesus Himself.
It’s easy to think that honoring God only happens in church or through moments of worship and prayer. But here, Jesus flips the script. He identifies Himself not with the powerful or religious, but with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. This is one of the most radical truths of the gospel: Jesus is found in the margins.
I remember a pastor friend of mine who shared this story of a man named Allen who showed up at his church’s food pantry years ago. He was homeless, tired, and skeptical. He told me what started as a hot meal became a doorway into friendship, discipleship, and even employment. He went on to say that today, Allen mentors others coming out of similar hardships. That’s the power of mercy wrapped in action. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t complicated. It was obedience.
We don’t need to be rich, influential, or have a ministry title to fulfill these words. We just need eyes to see and hearts willing to respond.
Here are a few things you can do to help you on your journey.
Take inventory, who around you is “hungry” for care, love, or hope?
Donate time or resources to a local ministry serving the homeless, imprisoned, or sick.
Make it a point this week to invite someone lonely or new into your circle, maybe a neighbor or coworker.
Start a journal recording your acts of compassion, not for pride, but to remember where you’ve seen Jesus.
Look for Jesus in an unexpected face. As you go about your day, pause when you encounter someone in need and ask, “Lord, is this You?” Then respond with love.
Jesus, open my eyes to see You in the needs of others. Help me to live a faith that isn’t just words but action. Make me more aware of opportunities to show kindness and mercy. Teach me to live a life that reflects Your love to the forgotten, the hurting, and the overlooked. Thank You for meeting me in my need—now use me to meet others in theirs. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
- Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV)
Jesus paints a vivid picture of what true discipleship looks like, not in theory, but in action. These verses come from a powerful parable where the King separates the sheep from the goats based on what they did in response to the needs around them. And what’s striking is this: they didn’t realize that in serving others, they were serving Jesus Himself.
It’s easy to think that honoring God only happens in church or through moments of worship and prayer. But here, Jesus flips the script. He identifies Himself not with the powerful or religious, but with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. This is one of the most radical truths of the gospel: Jesus is found in the margins.
I remember a pastor friend of mine who shared this story of a man named Allen who showed up at his church’s food pantry years ago. He was homeless, tired, and skeptical. He told me what started as a hot meal became a doorway into friendship, discipleship, and even employment. He went on to say that today, Allen mentors others coming out of similar hardships. That’s the power of mercy wrapped in action. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t complicated. It was obedience.
We don’t need to be rich, influential, or have a ministry title to fulfill these words. We just need eyes to see and hearts willing to respond.
Here are a few things you can do to help you on your journey.
Take inventory, who around you is “hungry” for care, love, or hope?
Donate time or resources to a local ministry serving the homeless, imprisoned, or sick.
Make it a point this week to invite someone lonely or new into your circle, maybe a neighbor or coworker.
Start a journal recording your acts of compassion, not for pride, but to remember where you’ve seen Jesus.
Look for Jesus in an unexpected face. As you go about your day, pause when you encounter someone in need and ask, “Lord, is this You?” Then respond with love.
Jesus, open my eyes to see You in the needs of others. Help me to live a faith that isn’t just words but action. Make me more aware of opportunities to show kindness and mercy. Teach me to live a life that reflects Your love to the forgotten, the hurting, and the overlooked. Thank You for meeting me in my need—now use me to meet others in theirs. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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