The church has had its own struggle with sides — for centuries — over the way to live out faith. Should we be more focused on saving souls or meeting people’s physical needs?
This is a false dichotomy, because Jesus did both. Jesus cared deeply about the poor and the downtrodden, demonstrating his compassion in tangible ways: giving sight to the blind, touching the leper, healing the sick. But he also preached the good news of God’s love and salvation.
If our Lord and Saviour did both, then we should do the same.
If our Lord and Saviour did both, then we should do the same. He instructed his followers to change the world in his name by embracing two essential commands: the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. We are to love God and love our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39), and we are to go and make disciples of others who will do the same (Matthew 28:19-20).
"You Did For Me"
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’—Matthew 25:40
Matthew 25 illustrates the shocking depth of Jesus’ love for the human race. His identification with “the least of these” is so profound that when we reach out to them with love and enter their pain, it is Jesus himself we are loving and embracing.
Living out the Great Commandment in the ways described in Matthew 25 catalyses the Great Commission — because when people experience the love of Christ through our deeds, it prepares them to hear the message of Christ through our words.
So if we want to be agents of the Great Commission, first we must become agents of the Great Commandment. Being close to Christ means being close to the poor.
Matthew 25 becomes our to-do list, detailing all the problems afflicting the poor around the world today — hunger, thirst, alienation, lack of clothes, poor health, and injustice. As a ZENA Outreach sponsor or supporter, you are responding to all these needs, helping ZENA Outreach strengthen communities. We aim to change the lives of families by providing access to clean water, nutritious food, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, but ultimately we want to continue to love Jesus through our actions and deeds.
HELP US!!!
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