35For 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, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'I’ve been challenged to encounter every person as if I’m encountering Jesus Himself—realizing the way I treat others is how I am treating Christ. It is so important the way I interact with a server who doesn’t get the order right… or the child who uses our yard for mud wrestling… or a friend who is caught in some sin… or the homeless individual who approaches me in a parking lot…
In every encounter, I have the opportunity to show the grace God continually extends to me and the love He showers on me. Or I can respond selfishly with judgment, criticism, and disregard. But the more I experience His grace, love, and kindness, the more it naturally flows from my lives to others. God has helped me to understand that my love for Him is seen most clearly in my interactions with others.
This challenge isn’t just with those I encounter outside of my home. I’ve actually felt a strong conviction to treat my husband in the same way I would treat Jesus. And it has completely revolutionized what I think as I am interacting with him. To be honest—our relationship is more precious than ever before!
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