To The Least of These

To: The Least of These Scriptures are the center of truth, especially for those in need of healing. This book offers such truth. There is a phrase in the New Testament gospel of Matthew that is as valued as gold itself. It reads, “the least of these.” In context, the New Living Translation records this private conversation with Jesus and his disciples to explain its meaning. But when the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats to the left. Then Jesus, the King, will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Jesus continued, then the righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or be thirsty and give you something to drink? Or as a stranger and show you hospitality? Or see you naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers, you were doing it to me.’ Matthew 25: 31-40, NLT (Edited) This phrase “the least of these” refers to the people that the miraculous deeds of Jesus were devoted- the hungry, thirsty, sick or lame, the strangers, those without clothing, and those imprisoned. They are also referred to as God’s “children and angels,” as translated from the Greek. Jesus of Nazareth fed these people with spiritual and practical food. He also offered them waters, of a supernatural kind. As he walked the streets of Jerusalem, he replaced shame with restorative clothing and provided dignity to those labelled unclean. To the sick, Jesus offered healing. And in the years of 29-32AD, to those imprisoned either psychologically or due to poor life choices, Jesus lifted them to a higher state. He did not judge, ignore, or discard these loved ones. He served them whole-heartedly. This is Jesus of Nazareth, the one on display through the scenes painted by this book. _________________ To the Least of These is written as a transformational journey. Just like a butterfly is meant to evolve through different life stages, so is the human spirit meant to be transformed. As an extraordinary person, Jesus of Nazareth is the medium for such work. He was a unique man, and the world’s best display of God-like qualities and virtues. Jesus was also the kind of person who uplifted others, regardless of how lost they seemed. He pushed the boundaries of the legalistic, religious society around him, and offered loving actions instead. More than anything, Jesus ben Mary lived to reconcile the mysteries of heaven on earth. This compassionate person was also a man who suffered. He understood the pain-filled aspects of life. The Gospel writers illustrated this as each of them wrote about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. There, Jesus of Nazareth revealed an unspoken truth about God- God suffers with humanity. And through the Garden of Gethsemane story, women and men are offered new understanding about suffering. Individuals do not need to suffer alone; Christ Jesus is present in every human tragedy. He is the Poema of God. _________________ In the Beginning. Genesis 2-3 Adapted as a Midrash And the LORD God formed man out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the Breath of Life, “Ruah.” Man became a living being. Then, the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground, the LORD God caused every tree to grow that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. The Tree of Life was also in the Garden, along with the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then the LORD God took the man, whose name means “red clay” and put him in the Garden of Eden to work and care for it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may eat freely; but of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.” And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon “the one of red clay.” Then, the LORD God took one of the man’s ribs, healing his flesh in its place. From this rib, not the ground, the LORD God fashioned the female part of His divinity. He brought this most beautiful creature to the one made of red clay. And the man celebrated, for he recognized himself in this creation, calling her “Ishah,” which meant “of Ish.” This man and woman walked together, with the Lord God, in the garden.