Matthew Chapter 25, Verse 35
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35: επεινασα γαρ και εδωκατε μοι φαγειν εδιψησα και εποτισατε με ξενος ημην και συνηγαγετε με
35: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and
ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
35: For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and you
gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in:
I was an hungred. The union between Christ and his people is the most tender and endearing of all connexions. It is represented by the closest unions of which we have knowledge, Jn 15:4ff, Eph 5:23ff, 1Cor 6:15.
This is a union not physical, but moral; a union of feelings, interests, plans, destiny; or, in other words, he and his people have similar feelings, love the same objects, share the same trials, and inherit the same blessedness, Jn 14:19, Rev 3:5, Rev 3:21, Rom 8:17.
Hence he considers favours shown to his people as shown to himself, and will reward them accordingly, Mt 10:40ff. They show attachment to him, and love to his cause. By showing kindness to the poor, and needy, and sick, they show that they possess his spirit - for he did it when on earth; they evince attachment to him, for he was poor and needy; and they show that they have the proper spirit to fit them for heaven, 1Jn 3:14, 1Jn 3:17, Jam 2:1ff, Mk 9:41.
Was a stranger. The word stranger means a foreigner, or traveller; in our language, one unknown to us. To receive such to the rites of hospitality was, in eastern countries, where there were few or no public houses, a great virtue. See Gen 18:1ff, Heb 13:2.
Took me in. Into your house. Received me kindly.
