Have you ever wondered what made Jesus say a work was good? What does doing something great according to Jesus really mean? In this article, we’ll look at the acts of kindness Jesus valued. We’ll see what kind of deeds he praised and use those to understand good works.
Jesus always talked about being loving and caring. He praised those who helped others, took care of the sick, and even forgave. But these aren’t the only ways to show love and kindness.
This image shows us how Jesus may have seen good deeds. Think about your own actions in comparison. Are there areas you could be better in? Are there new ways you can show kindness?
Let’s look at the ten examples of good works that Jesus praised. They can encourage and guide us in living a life that Jesus values. We will see what it means to truly follow Jesus and do what he sees as good.
Feeding the Hungry
Jesus praises the good deed of feeding those in need. According to Matthew 25:35, he highlights the importance of giving food. This act is not just about meals; it’s showing love and empathy for those who need it most.
Following Jesus’s example, feeding the hungry matters. In the Bible, Jesus fed thousands with a few loaves and fish. He showed care and provided for those in physical need.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35
Feeding goes beyond physical food. It brings comfort, dignity, and hope. Offering a meal values the person and their well-being. Kindness and empathy make a big difference to those in need.
In God’s work, feeding the hungry is vital. It’s a real way to spread love and follow the golden rule. It fights the negativity of lack and unequal access to food.
Feeding the hungry isn’t pure charity; it’s a sign of faith and following teachings. It makes the world better for those around us.
Importance of Feeding the Hungry
Feeding is about more than just today’s hunger. It fights big issues like poverty and food insecurity. By feeding them, we care for their health and well-being.
Also, it builds strong communities. It joins people in helping others, showing empathy and making ties that bind us. This work makes us stronger together.
It echoes Jesus’s message, caring for the most vulnerable. By feeding the hungry, we mirror his teachings of love and mercy. It’s a way to live out these values.
Feeding the hungry cuts through all boundaries. It’s a call for everyone to ease pain and ensure fairness. It makes a kinder and fairer world for us all.
The Impact of Feeding the Hungry
Feeding changes lives in huge ways. It ends hunger’s pain, easing both body and soul. The relief from an empty stomach is life-changing.
It also lights a path out of poverty and hopelessness. It inspires self-improvement and a better, brighter future. Access to food is key to making life better.
Those who help also benefit. They grow in empathy, thankfulness, and social awareness. It connects them deeper with others and with their own humanity.
| Benefits of Feeding the Hungry | Impact |
|---|---|
| Alleviates hunger and food insecurity | Addresses immediate and long-term needs |
| Promotes physical and emotional well-being | Reduces stress and improves overall health |
| Fosters community and solidarity | Strengthens social connections and empathy |
| Upholds values of justice and compassion | Brings fairness and equity to society |
| Transforms lives and inspires hope | Empowers individuals to overcome challenges |
Clothing the Naked
Helping the naked is a work Jesus praises in Matthew 25:36. Giving clothes to those without not only meets a physical need. It also shows them love, dignity, and respect.
Helping the naked is more than just giving clothes. It means caring for others deeply, with empathy and understanding.
The Significance of Clothing the Naked
“For I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” – Matthew 25:36
Jesus’ message in Matthew 25:36 stresses giving basic needs to the needy. It takes care of their physical discomfort. It also helps them feel worthy and respected.
Imagine being without clothes in bad weather and facing judgment. By clothing the naked, you show compassion. You bring warmth to the vulnerable, giving them protection and a sense of belonging.
Recognized as a Good Work by Jesus
Jesus talks about the final judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. He notes those who helped the needy and served others. One good deed He highlights is clothing the naked.
Jesus sees Himself in those who are without clothes, sick, in prison, and needy. When we help the naked, we serve Christ. We show love and work for justice.
Helping the naked is more than charity. It shows our real care for others. It follows Jesus’s command to love and support those often forgotten.
Caring for the Sick
Jesus praised the caring of the sick in the Gospels. He often healed the sick and told his followers to do the same. This kind act is very important, Jesus considered it a good work.
Caring for the sick means giving care, comfort, and support to those needing help. Jesus showed his care by healing people with different illnesses. He helped the blind and the paralyzed, showing that his love reaches everyone.
When you care for the sick, you help both physically and emotionally. Showing love and kindness is important, as Jesus taught us to love our neighbors. This is how you follow Jesus’ teachings.
Your care brings hope and healing. By helping the sick, you show God’s love. You bring comfort, whether that’s through care, support, or prayers. Your kindness helps the sick feel better.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
In Matthew, Jesus shares a story praising those who help the sick. He says helping the sick is like helping him. This shows that caring for the sick is a divine act praised by God.
When you help the sick, you carry on Jesus’ mission. Your kindness and service can really change the lives of those in pain. Jesus wants us to spread his love through our actions.
Caring for the sick also means looking after mental health and well-being. It’s not just about physical health. Listening, encouraging, and praying for them are also important ways to help.
Let Jesus be your guide as you help the sick. May your care show his love and compassion. Remember his example when you help those in need.
Benefits of Caring for the Sick
Engaging with the sick brings some great benefits:
- It makes you more empathetic and compassionate.
- You form deeper bonds within your community.
- It fulfills the love commandment Jesus taught.
- You help improve others’ physical, mental, and spiritual health.
- Your work aligns with Jesus’ own teachings.
Practical Ways to Care for the Sick
Here’s how you can care for the sick in real ways:
- Visit those in hospitals or stuck at home.
- Bring meals or groceries to those who can’t get them.
- Go with someone to their medical appointments.
- Send notes or messages to cheer them up.
- Pray for their healing and strength.
| Benefits of Caring for the Sick |
|---|
| Deepening of empathy and compassion |
| Strengthening of relationships and community bonds |
| Fulfillment of the commandment to love your neighbor |
| Contribution to the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of others |
| Alignment with the teachings of Jesus |
By helping the sick, you live out Jesus’ values. Your acts of kindness heal and comfort the sick. You show your faith and commitment by following Christ’s example.
Visiting Prisoners
In Matthew 25:36, Jesus underlined the huge impact of visiting prisoners. He said it showed care and empathy. This kindness is very important in his eyes, as it can help people change and heal.
Visiting prisoners gives them hope. It shows they are not forgotten. You stand by them, no matter their past. You see them as valuable individuals.
This act helps break the cycle of feeling hopeless. It supports a person’s sense of belonging and purpose. You can find the potential for change in everyone, no matter the past.
Visiting isn’t just about being there. It’s about listening and understanding too. You offer a compassionate heart. You can help them heal and transform, knowing they’re not alone.
By visiting, you do what Matthew 25:36 talks about. Your kindness is like Jesus’. It brings hope and dignity to those forgotten by society.
Benefits of Visiting Prisoners
Visiting helps those inside and changes you too. It lets you:
- Be more empathetic and compassionate
- Break stereotypes and grow in understanding
- Help in rehabilitation and rejoining society
- Feel more connected to your community
- Experience your own growth and change
By showing love and compassion, you spread good changes. You make a difference in the lives of prisoners and in society.
Every person is important and should be seen. By visiting, you show grace and compassion. Let’s work together to make our world more caring and inclusive.
Showing Mercy
Jesus praised showing mercy as a wonderful act in Matthew 5:7. He said that those who are kind will also find kindness. Being compassionate and forgiving is seen as good by Jesus.
Showing mercy is more than kindness. It includes understanding and empathizing with others. It’s offering forgiveness, even to those who don’t seem to deserve it, just like God does for us.
Jesus taught the value of kindness, love, and forgiveness. By showing mercy, we show what Christ is like. We follow His example of love and care for others.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
By showing mercy, you start a wave of good and grace. Your acts inspire others to do the same. This creates a cycle of kindness. Through mercy, you can make a real difference in people’s lives, just like Jesus did for you.
Now, we’ll look at how being a peacemaker matches the good works Jesus valued.
| Why Showing Mercy is a Good Work Highlighted by Jesus | How Showing Mercy Benefits Others | How Showing Mercy Reflects Our Faith |
|---|---|---|
| Shows compassion and forgiveness | Brings healing and reconciliation | Exhibits Christ-like character |
| Extends grace to others | Inspires others to show mercy | Reflects God’s love and mercy |
| Creates a ripple effect of goodness | Builds stronger relationships | Strengthens our relationship with God |
Being a Peacemaker
Jesus praised the important role of peacemakers. In Matthew 5:9, it says they are called children of God. Their work shows commitment to their faith.
The Significance of Being a Peacemaker
Peacemakers don’t just avoid conflict. They work to make peace and bring people together. This is important in Jesus’ teachings. As followers, we should act like Him.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
Being a peacemaker helps others and shows God’s love. We can heal and bring people together. This way, we live out our faith and make the world better.
The Role of Peacemakers in Society
Peacemakers help people get along and make peace. They listen, understand, and find common ground, even when people disagree.
They make society better by reducing violence and division. They create opportunities for everyone to understand each other. This helps individuals, families, and even whole nations.
Practicing Peace in Your Life
To be a peacemaker, start with finding peace in yourself. Think about your own actions and grow. Live like Jesus did, bringing peace.
Here are ways to be a peacemaker:
- Listen carefully and understand others’ points of view.
- Forgive and let go of hard feelings.
- Talk calmly and respectfully about problems when they happen.
- Show you care and try to understand people in your life.
- Try to help people resolve their disputes.
- Speak up for fairness and bringing people together in your area.
By embracing these qualities and working for peace, we can truly make the world better.
The Blessing of Being a Peacemaker
Jesus offers a special blessing to those who make peace. By working for peace, we show God’s love to others. Our peace efforts align with God’s kingdom, changing people and societies.
“For they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
Being children of God is a great honor. It shows our close relation with God. Being peacemakers lets us live as Jesus did and brings blessings of peace.
| Benefits of Being a Peacemaker | Scripture References |
|---|---|
| Harmony in relationships and communities | Proverbs 12:20 |
| God’s favor and blessing | Psalm 34:14 |
| Transformation and healing of conflicts | James 3:18 |
| Witnessing God’s kingdom manifested on earth | Matthew 5:9 |
Loving Enemies
Jesus once explained a tough idea in the Sermon on the Mount – loving our enemies. He told his followers not to act naturally, but to show love to those who might not like them. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This shows how big an impact love and forgiveness can have, even when facing anger or hate.
Loving enemies is a bold, kind thing to do. It means choosing love instead of fighting back. This makes us act like God and real followers of Jesus. Love helps stop hate and starts healing and peace.
“Love your enemies”
Loving even our enemies means loving them without any limits. We need to see through our own issues and see the good in everyone. No matter the harm, we should still see their worth.
Loving enemies is what Jesus wanted us to do. It helps make peace and unity. Choosing love over hate helps us be more like Jesus, offering understanding, care, and making peace.
It may seem very hard to love our enemies. But with God’s love, we can. This way, we bring a change in how we see each other. We show love, not hate, to the world.
Benefits of Loving Enemies
Being kind to those who might not like us has its rewards. Personally, it frees us from anger and bad feelings. It gives us peace inside and makes us mentally and emotionally healthier.
Plus, it might change how we all get along. By loving and forgiving, we might help others change their minds. This can lead to healing and fixing what’s broken.
It changes how groups of people or even countries act to each other, too. Loving enemies can help understand and respect one another. It moves us from fighting to peace and togetherness.
A Table Comparing Love and Hatred
| Love | Hatred |
|---|---|
| Creates harmony and unity | Causes division and strife |
| Fosters forgiveness and reconciliation | Nurtures bitterness and resentment |
| Leads to inner peace and freedom | Generates inner turmoil and bondage |
| Builds bridges and fosters understanding | Builds walls and perpetuates hostility |
| Reflects the character of God | Contradicts God’s love and grace |
Giving to the Poor
Jesus praised giving to the poor as good. In Luke 6:38, he taught about giving and receiving. It isn’t just about handing out things. It shows care, understanding, and love for others.
When you help the less fortunate, you show kindness. You meet their needs and bring them joy. This act benefits the giver as well, filling both hearts with happiness.
When you give, you follow Jesus’ example of being generous. He said giving leads to receiving abundantly in Luke 6:38. This teaches us the beauty of a cycle of giving that blesses everyone involved.
Jesus also emphasized loving our neighbors deeply. Giving expresses this love practically. It shows we care for them as we do for ourselves.
Giving isn’t just about money. You can also give time, expertise, or emotional support. Every small gesture helps. It can change someone’s life for the better.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.” – Luke 6:38
Supporting the poor builds a more caring world. It unites different parts of society and fights inequality. This work improves our world for the better.
When you help, do it with a caring heart. Learn about the needs around you. Support local groups working to help the poor.
Your giving can transform lives. It doesn’t matter how small it may seem. Every bit of kindness is valuable. Let’s answer the call to love and serve those in need.
Forgiving Others
Forgiving others is key in following Jesus’ teachings. Jesus, in Matthew 6:14, highlighted forgiveness’ importance. It links to being forgiven by God. By forgiving, you show mercy and humility. This reflects Jesus’ love and mercy.
Forgiveness changes lives. It frees the forgiver and forgiven. It removes resentment, anger, and bitterness, bringing peace and healing. Forgiving releases others from guilt, offering a chance for change.
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” – Matthew 11:25
Jesus’ forgiveness teachings go deeper. They urge you to love and have compassion. Forgiving reflects God’s forgiveness. It makes room for rebuilding broken relationships.
Yet, forgiving deeply hurtful actions can be tough. It takes courage and a choice to let go. With the Holy Spirit’s help, forgiveness is possible. It brings change and healing.
Forgiving starts a journey to heal and reconcile. It lets you live fully as Jesus wants, without the weight of unforgiveness. Loving others through forgiveness is loving like Jesus (John 13:34).
The Benefits of Forgiving Others
Forgiving helps the forgiver and the forgiven. It heals emotional wounds and brings peace. Forgiveness ends inner conflict and restores balance.
- Forgiveness boosts mental health, easing stress and anxiety.
- It strengthens bonds and builds trust in relationships.
- Forgiving shows God’s love, drawing people closer to Him.
- It humbles you, recognizing everyone needs forgiveness.
- It joins in God’s plan to heal and redeem.
The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is powerful but not always easy. It breaks the chains of bitterness, allowing healing. Forgiveness lets God’s love and restoration work through you. You become a messenger of peace and love, showing Jesus’ way.
In sum, forgiveness is central to a life that mirrors Jesus’. By forgiving, you share Christ’s love and mercy. It leads to healing, growth, and peace in relationships. Let forgiveness transform your life.
Helping the Needy
Jesus praised those who helped the needy, showing how important kindness and service are. He told a story known as the parable of the Good Samaritan. It’s in Luke 10:37.
It goes like this: a man has been badly hurt and left for dead. Many people pass by, like a priest and a Levite, without stopping to help. Then, a Samaritan, someone not part of the man’s community, does. He takes care of the injured man, bringing him to safety and making sure he’s okay.
This story teaches us to help everyone in need, not just those who are like us. Jesus says true kindness goes beyond what we expect and really changes lives.
“But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.”
– Luke 10:33
Helping others makes us more like Jesus, who always cared for those in trouble. We act as channels of his love, making a difference in tough situations.
It also follows Jesus’ main rule: to treat others as we want to be treated. By doing so, we show we really care about people’s well-being and dignity.
The Impact of Helping the Needy
When we help those in need, it starts a chain of positivity. Our small acts don’t just fix immediate problems; they inspire others to also help.
This way, we change our communities for the better. We help end poverty and sadness, bringing back hope and purpose.
How Helping the Needy Is Recognized by Jesus
To Jesus, being kind to others is very important. It shows we truly care about our neighbors. By helping the poor and needy, we follow His teachings of love and service.
Our kindness reflects Jesus’s own values. It shows that we understand and live out his deep love for everyone, especially those forgotten.
Jesus encourages us to keep helping those in need:
“Go and do likewise.”
– Luke 10:37
These words are a call to put our love for others into real, practical action. It’s a way to live out our faith in God by helping the less fortunate.
So, let’s answer the call to help those in need. Our kindness is noticed by Jesus. He sees and values every effort we make to support others.
What Does the Parable of the Goodman of the House Teach us about Good Works Recognized by Jesus?
The parable of the goodman of the house teaches us that good works recognized by Jesus are those done with faithfulness and diligence. In the story, the goodman is commended for being vigilant and responsible in his duties. This emphasizes the importance of being diligent and faithful in our own works.
Conclusion
In the Gospels, Jesus often praises acts of love and kindness. He showcases the importance of helping the hungry and forgiving others. These actions are very important in our faith. They show we are dedicated to following Jesus’ lessons.
Learning and doing good deeds helps us live a life that Jesus admires. Each time we show love, we get closer to God. We also live out the morals that Jesus shared with us.
When we help those in need, we honor our faith. We show we care, just as Jesus did. By being kind and making peace, we reflect Jesus’ love in the world.
Let’s always look for ways to do good deeds. This way, we make the world a better place by living as Jesus taught us. Let’s be known for spreading love and kindness. That’s how we leave a lasting mark of Jesus’ light.