(Mat) 25:32-34, 41, 46 CJB “All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The ‘sheep’ he will place at his right hand and the ‘goats’ at his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. “Then he will also speak to those on his left, saying, ‘Get away from me, you who are cursed! Go off into the fire prepared for the Adversary and his angels! They will go off to eternal punishment, but those who have done what God wants will go to eternal life.””

The Least of These is one of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible. It is frequently used to encourage Christians to serve society’s poor, homeless, sick, and imprisoned. While Scripture certainly commands believers to love their neighbors and do good to all people, that is not Jesus’ primary point in Matthew 25.

At the final judgment, Jesus gathers all the nations before Him and separates the sheep from the goats. The basis of that separation is how they responded to “the least of these my brothers.”

The question every Bible student must answer is simple:

Who are Jesus’ brothers?

Throughout Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus consistently identifies His brothers as those who belong to Him and do the will of His Father (Matthew 12:48-50; 23:8; 28:10). Just one chapter earlier He warned these same disciples that they would be hated, persecuted, imprisoned, and even killed because of their allegiance to Him.

The context leaves little doubt.

Jesus is identifying Himself with His suffering people.

Jesus Is Not Identifying Himself With Every Poor Person

Jesus was never homeless because of laziness.

He was never imprisoned because of criminal behavior.

He was never hungry because of addiction.

He was never rejected because of sinful choices.

He suffered because He obeyed His Father.

Likewise, those whom Jesus calls “my brothers” are those who suffer because they belong to Him.

The hungry Christ is the missionary forced from his home because he preaches the gospel.

The imprisoned Christ is the pastor jailed for proclaiming Jesus.

The naked Christ is the believer whose property has been confiscated because he refuses to deny his Lord.

The persecuted Church in Nigeria…

The imprisoned believers in Iran…

The faithful saints in North Korea…

The suffering Christians throughout the Middle East and Asia…

These are Christ’s brothers living out the reality Jesus described.

When we minister to them, Jesus says we minister to Him.

The Church Must Reflect Christ’s Priorities

This does not mean Christians should ignore unbelievers in need.

Scripture commands us to love our neighbors, even our enemies, and to do good to all people. Yet Paul adds an important priority: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)

The New Testament consistently gives special attention to caring for God’s family.

Yet many churches know far more about the homeless population in their own city than they do about pastors imprisoned for preaching Christ.

We organize fundraisers for community projects but rarely receive offerings for believers whose homes have been burned because they confessed Jesus.

We invest tremendous energy relieving temporary hardships while often overlooking brothers and sisters who suffer specifically because they bear Christ’s name.

Matthew 25 challenges those priorities.

If Jesus identifies Himself with His suffering people, then His Church should intentionally identify with them as well.

Will We Care for Those Christ Calls His Brothers?

The final judgment reminds us that our love for Christ is demonstrated by our love for His people.

Do we remember the persecuted?

Do we pray for imprisoned believers?

Do we support missionaries serving in dangerous places?

Do we strengthen churches where following Jesus carries an enormous personal cost?

These are not secondary concerns.

They are matters the King Himself promises to remember.

One day every believer will stand before Jesus.

The King has told us where His heart is.

Let ours be there also.

May He find us loving those with whom He most closely identifies—His suffering brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Run Today’s Play

Ask, how much of my prayer, giving, and concern is directed toward Christians suffering for Christ around the world?

Pray specifically for believers facing persecution in one nation today.

Give financially or write an encouraging message to a ministry serving the persecuted Church, making Christ’s priorities your own.