This was the gate of which I spoke in an earlier blog. This gate was used
for watering the animals. Here all the herdsmen and shepherds came together
with their herds and flocks mingled together as their caretakers and owners
brought water for them to drink. The interaction of those who jockeyed for the
best positions in order to care for their animals with the least amount of work
provided a genuine opportunity to observe human character at work. Conflicts
were frequent and often violent.
At the Water Gate we develop our attitudes toward one
another. The following passage is Jesus’ very pointed illustration of what our
attitudes need to be.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was
thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me
in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I
was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer
him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you
something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or
needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to
visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for
one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say
to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal
fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me
nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a
stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look
after me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the
least of these, you did not do for
me.' (Matthew 25:35-45 NIV)
There are several categories of people Jesus spoke to us
about in this passage. He is concerned about our attitude toward each of
these—no exception. They are, Jesus tells us, a measure of our love for Him.
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