Meeting their needs
Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:40
Once upon a time, a rabbit became tired of eating grass and carrots, so he started fishing, but he couldn't catch any fish at all, so he kept waiting and waiting, until a fish jumped angrily and told him, “stop using carrots as bait! ”
The story was told by my minister friend as she pointed out that we often impose what we believe is good to others without meeting their actual needs. Jesus met the needs of people first throughout His ministry, such as feeding them, healing the sick, and asking "what do you want me to do for you?" In the key verse today, Jesus says that when we feed and give drinks to people in need, we do it for the Lord.
On a solo trip to Cambodia in 2011, I met a pastor who was ministering to impoverished people in a floating village, and I got the chance to visit them. The poor living conditions and unclean water caused some villagers to become ill or die early. Unknowingly, the villager pointed me directly to the river and then I discovered that the river I just peed at was the only water source in the village. Having been led by the Lord, I promised the pastor and villagers that I would bring them water filters in my next visit. For the first few times, I went back and purchased water filters and replacements for the villagers. As time went on, I gained more support from my friends and regularly led a mission trip to visit the villagers, but the trip was halted due to Covid. Each time we visited, the villagers were so grateful that we cared for them, and some even believed in God as a result.
We don’t necessarily travel to hard places to witness God, since we can use our sphere of influence to reach out to others in the marketplace, social circles, and our families etc. As we meet their needs, whether it is a listener, a companion, or even financial help, we become more adept at preaching less and connecting more. Witnessing Jesus means meeting people's physical and emotional needs, and when we exude God's character and the fruits of the spirit, people will be attracted to Jesus and our faith becomes magnetic.
Blessing prayer: May God provide so that we can offer physical and emotional support to others, and we pray that the Holy Spirit move people’s hearts so that Jesus becomes everything to them, so they lack nothing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
