“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

Matthew 25:40 NKJV

As noted in earlier posts, I believe this instruction from the Lord Jesus given in the prophecy of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) is fundamental to our salvation. It is directed to those “blessed of My Father,” who will “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” In other words, the sheep.

Christ commands that we love our neighbors as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31). If led by the Holy Spirit, obedience to this command is often absent conscious thought. But there are times when God presents us with choices – and asks each to consider the object and the nature of our love.

In the context of this consideration, one question with which I personally struggle is this: who specifically is Jesus referencing when He says “the least of these My brethren?”

I don’t particularly question “the least” component of this description. I believe this to be fairly straightforward and consistent with New Testament (NT) depictions of the underprivileged, the hungry, the sick, the persecuted, the disabled, the widowed, the orphaned and the humble.

But “My brethren” seems a more ambiguous lot. Is the Lord explicitly referencing our Christian brothers and sisters, or is it a much more inclusive allusion to all people? And, if the former, does this imply that God does not care if we neglect the well-being of nonbelievers?

With regard to the first question, I am personally inclined to believe that this specific reference is to the faithful in Christ. While this is not a hill that I would choose to die upon, the vast preponderance of usage of the term brethren in the NT alludes to followers of Christ. There are a few isolated exceptions – notably those of Peter, Paul and Stephen when the term is ostensibly applied to fellow Jews skeptical of Jesus’ teaching.

I am further persuaded to this position by the Lord’s use of the descriptor “the least of these.” The disadvantaged that are faithful to Christ despite circumstance are, I believe, special to Him – and they are to be special to us.

Moreover, Christ implies through his commendation of the sheep that Christians are to visit their brethren in prison. While outreach to the prison community is a beautiful ministry, I tend to think that this direction applies principally to the persecuted – those imprisoned for their beliefs – such as John the Baptist, the Apostles and Christ Himself.

As for question #2, while the prophecy of the sheep and the goats seems specifically purposed towards our brothers and sisters in Christ, scripture is unequivocal in the directive that we are to love all:

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:30-31

Who is my neighbor? This question was posed to Jesus by a lawyer in Luke 10:29. Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan:

“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

And he [the lawyer] said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:30-37

We are called to love not only those of faith. Not only our family, our friends, or those with whom we share commonalities. We are to love anyone and everyone within our reach and with whom we can share God’s love. By doing so, we emulate Christ and do His will.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Galatians 6:10