“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When . . . a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?” (Matthew 25:37–39).
Churches today made up of believers who worship and love the Messiah, may be unaware of their ministry to King Jesus, the Supreme Judge, for He said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (v.40). Let us consider just one ministry—pregnancy care centers.
These exist because members from various churches band together to minister to many in need. Not only do believers try to meet the physical needs of others, but food and water for starved and parched souls are also supplied. Some knit sweater sets for babies—every stitch an expression of love. The Lord, who loves these little ones, receives acts of love upon them as upon Himself.
Some who come to these centers are sick with no medical care. The Lord identifies with such in their suffering: “Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (Psalm 69:20). When believers reach out in love to the sick, they reach out in love to Him.
Many of these women, imprisoned by guilt of past sin and perhaps abortions, are also imprisoned by fears—many having been sexually and physically abused. Trust and hope are extremely dim. When believers in King Jesus extended genuine love and hope to these downtrodden women, however, they comfort not only the women but the “man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3), Himself. The Lord Jesus Christ owns the future. May His Church continue to be faithful meanwhile. PGH
