In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus indicates to us that those who know Him best will be the most involved in works of mercy and compassion. He reveals how important it is to him for His followers to do certain kinds of things such as feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, embrace the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and to come alongside the prisoner. Holiness in action, that is the lifestyle to which He calls His people.

Interestingly enough, Jesus equates these works of mercy as ministry to Him. When we embrace others we are embracing Jesus. When we extend mercy to others it is as if we are extending mercy to Jesus. And, get this; many times we don’t even know it is Jesus we are touching by our act of love.

What a freeing thought. We live out our lives in the spirit of holiness, a spirit that is so gracious that we treat everybody the same and all people as if they were Jesus to us. It’s real, honest and non-discriminatory outrageous grace lavished on others. Why would we do this? Because this is the way God has come to us. Outrageous grace has been lavished on us by the life of Jesus and so we lavish grace on others.

It makes perfect sense. Often we sing a song that says, “O to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer.” Well, Jesus is about outrageous grace, extended to whomever crosses His path. O to be like Thee? Really? Then feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick, visit the prisoner. We are never more like Jesus than when we do these kinds of things. And, remember, He said, “to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them you did it to Me” (Matt. 25:40).

Don’t you just love the Christian life and the fact that when we embrace others we are embracing Jesus? When we extend mercy to others it is as if we are extending mercy to Jesus Christ Himself.