Who Are the “Least of These” Jesus Spoke About

In Matthew 25, Jesus talked about the need for us to “do unto the least of these” as doing it unto Christ, so who are the least of these?

Saved by Grace

In Matthew 25, Jesus talked about the need for us to “do unto the least of these” as doing it unto Christ, so who are the least of these? Before we find out who the least of these are, we need a reminder from Scripture about who we are and who we were! First off, we who have trusted in Christ are not better than others…we are just better off. To keep us humble, the Apostle Paul reminds us that, “such were some of you” (1 Cor 6:11) and me! We were not saved because we were special or different from the rest in the world, but solely upon God’s sovereign choice. That means no human can ever boast (Eph 2:8-9).

Who God Chooses

You probably know from experience that God doesn’t choose many of the world’s celebrities or powerful or the rich. Instead, God chooses those who the world seems to look down upon. Paul reminds us that “not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth” (1 Cor 1:26). Instead, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor 6:27). I am proud to say I am part of that group. God only fixes those who are already broken. God did not choose us because we were wonderful people or a “he’s really great guy” or “lady,” but “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are“ (1 Cor 1:28). So why would God choose the weak and not the strong? It was “so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Cor 1:29), so that God’s strength alone can be credited with any good we do.

Great White Throne Judgement

When, at the end of the ages, Jesus will come and sit on the Great White Throne, judging those who have fully rejected Him or never known Him. Jesus says of this time that “Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matt 25:32). The Lord Jesus Christ, “the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt 25:34). But what does Jesus recognize when the saints are before Him? The Lord says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Matt 25:35-36).

Doing Unto Others

True believers don’t even remember all they had done (Matt 25:38-39), but Jesus reminds them that “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matt 25:40b). When we “wash the feet of the saints” (serve them), we are also doing it unto Jesus. That’s because the church is His Body and He is the Head, so what you do to the body, the Head feels. This is just as it is in the human body and why the church is called the Body of Christ; being His earthly hands, feet, eyes, voice and heart. We can love our neighbor as ourselves when we serve the church, and especially the outcasts of this world.

The Least of These

So who are the “least of these my people” Jesus spoke about? Jesus identifies them, saying, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matt 25:40). The least of these are those who Jesus calls “my brothers.” Wouldn’t that be the church? Aren’t these the saints? To find out whom the least of these, I walked into the bathroom. I looked up and at the mirror. There’s one of them. A brother who is the least of these, just as the Apostle Paul said, he was the “chief of sinners.” That’s me and you too, if you’ve trusted in Christ. We are the children of God (Rom 8:17).

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: 20 Amazing Quotes About Serviing

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: Despised, goats, Great White Throne Judgment, Judgment Day, Least of These, Lowly, serving, Sheep