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
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Embracing God’s New BeginningsRenewed, Not Worn DownThe Gift of Rest, Not a BurdenOne Thing I AskTransformed, Not ConformedArise and ShineFor His Glory in the OrdinaryChoosing Generosity Over ConvenienceAbide and Bear FruitDon’t Forget the BenefitsSetting an Example in Every SeasonLosing to LiveReady When He ComesThe Low Road That Leads to LifeWhere Your Heart Truly LivesThe God Who Sings Over YouRest That Goes Deeper Than SleepUnited in ChristHow Good and PleasantOvercome Evil with Active GoodThe Strong TowerActivated FaithNo Condemnation—Only FreedomThe Goodness Found in WaitingConfessing and RemainingUnder the Same SkyTeach Me to Walk in Your WillAnxious for NothingThere Is No Rock Like Our GodLiving the Word, Not Just Hearing ItStirred to Love
February
A Soul That Magnifies the LordStrong Where It Matters MostWalking Through the Darkest ValleyThe Golden WayA Word That Lifts the WeightRun With PurposeTraining for What LastsJoy That Grows Under PressureWhen Anxiety Multiplies, God SustainsRefined by the FireGrace That OverflowsStrength for Every SeasonUnashamed to Bear His NameDevoted to One AnotherThe Joy of a Righteous ChildWalking in LoveThe Glory That Fills the EarthFinish WellThe Pain That Produces PeaceOur Only AimThe Way, The Truth, The LifeStrength to Seek HimThe Whole Duty of ManTreasure Hidden in the FieldO Lord, You Are My GodDelight Yourself in the LordWalk in His StepsFriend Who Sticks Closer
March
The Long-Suffering Love of GodOvercome Evil with GoodBe Strong and CourageousMorning GuidanceThe Quiet Power of GenerosityWhat We See Is Not All There IsThe Faithful ProtectorStrength and DignityCasting What We CarryCharm Fades, But Reverence RemainsThe Voice of the Good ShepherdPeace That Changes EverythingBefore Everything ElseFor Such a Time as ThisWhen Life Turns, Turn to GodMake His Name KnownTrusting the God Who Sees the Whole RoadGreater Is He Within YouSurely Goodness and Love Will FollowThere Is Still a Rest for YouWhen Fear KnocksA Sorrow That Leads to LifeWhen Your Soul Thirsts for MoreOpen Hands, Open HeavenUnstoppable PeaceWhen Seeking Becomes Surrender
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing Righteousness
No Comments