A Clear Parable

The king will answer them, "I tell all of you with certainty, since you did it for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me."

Matthew 25:40 (ISV)

Jesus liked to speak in parables to His disciples (not just the twelve). He revealed spiritual truths that they could not understand because they sought to interpret His parables in a natural context. They applied them to their own reality. How many times did they miss the essence of His message? Instead of seeking to understand Him, the Pharisees preferred to confront and condemn him.

In this parable, Jesus speaks of a king's response to those who cared for him when he was in need, who fed him when he was hungry, who sheltered him when he had nowhere to sleep. For these, the king's father reserves an exceptional reward. Someone who does not want to understand would say, like the Pharisees, how can a king have all these problems yet ordinary people care for him? The parable refers directly to Jesus Himself, the Son of God.

He lived among us as a man, but this nonetheless meant that He was the Son of God and the King. The Pharisees and priests deliberately rejected His teaching. Yet, He spoke to everyone, including you and me today. The least good you do for those who are suffering, Jesus, seeing your compassionate heart, considers that you have done it for Him. The parable is therefore clear: Jesus, the King, encourages us to support the weakest, because His Father, the God of grace, has in store for us a reward that no one else can obtain.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.