The Person Next to You

Thursday - September 2nd

Scripture to Read Today: Matthew 25:31-40

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"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'"

Matthew 25:40

During a YouTube interview, author Simon Sinek described how only about 10% of Navy Seals make it through the Navy's initial training. He shared several insights as to who gets through and who does not.

Here are those insights as to who gets through the elite Navy training:

It's not the big, muscle-bound guys. They look impressive but don't have what it takes.

It's not the tattooed tough guys. They look scary but don't have what it takes.

It's not the college-educated stars. They look like leaders but don't have what it takes.

The ones who make it through don't necessarily look impressive, and there may be times during the training when they are shivering in fear.

But at some point during the grueling, punishing training, when they are exhausted, when they are mentally spent, and when it doesn't look as though they can go on, they dig deep and find a way to help the person next to them.

In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus described the day of final judgment when those who did not help Him when He was in need would be judged with eternal judgment. Those being judged would cry out asking, "Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, or sick and not help you?" Jesus, the judge, would then say: "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me" (Matthew 25:40).

Jesus said that when we help the hurting, marginalized, and overlooked, we serve and help Him. He calls us in the warning of Matthew 25 to serve those in need who are in our immediate path. We are to serve the person next to us. When we do, we serve our Lord!

Today notice the people around you. Pay attention to the needs of those in your path. Meet them in their need. Provide them practical help.

When we serve those in need in our path today, we serve Jesus!