INASMUCH

           "Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me."
             [Painting "Forgiven" by Thomas Blackshear]

Separation of the sheep and the goats from Matthew 25.

The Sheep"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'......

The Goats "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick and in prison, and did not minister to You?'
"Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' "

Jesus teaches that what we do or do not to others even 'the least' ultimately we do to Him. Some try to qualify it by designating the Jews or other Christians, just as the lawyer tried to qualify "Who is my neighbour" in the parable of The Good Samaritan.

However every person is someone who God loves and for whom Jesus died. He has tasted death for everyone [Hebrews 2:9] When Jesus was baptised at the River Jordan He was showing His identification with all humanity.

Understanding this gives us a whole new perspective on life and our relationships with others.