Chapter 70—“The Least of These My Brethren”
This chapter is based on
Matthew 25:31-46
.
“When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy
angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and
before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them
one from another.” Thus Christ on the Mount of Olives pictured to His
disciples the scene of the great judgment day. And He represented its
decision as turning upon one point. When the nations are gathered
before Him, there will be but two classes, and their eternal destiny will
be determined by what they have done or have neglected to do for Him
in the person of the poor and the suffering.
In that day Christ does not present before men the great work He
has done for them in giving His life for their redemption. He presents
the faithful work they have done for Him. To those whom He sets
upon His right hand He will say, “Come, ye blessed of My Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye
gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye
clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye
came unto Me.” But those whom Christ commends know not that
they have been ministering unto Him. To their perplexed inquiries He
answers, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these
My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”
Jesus had told His disciples that they were to be hated of all men,
to be persecuted and afflicted. Many would be driven from their
homes, and brought to poverty. Many would be in distress through
disease and privation. Many would be cast into prison. To all who
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forsook friends or home for His sake He had promised in this life a
hundredfold. Now He assured a special blessing to all who should
minister to their brethren. In all who suffer for My name, said Jesus,
you are to recognize Me. As you would minister to Me, so you are to
minister to them. This is the evidence that you are My disciples.
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