Yeshua’s words resonate powerfully with us during this holiday season:
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 as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothed you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:35-40
For many, this Hanukkah and Christmas season is one of charity, goodwill and showing kindness to the less fortunate, simply because it takes us back to the very roots of our faith, as well as God’s own character. Time and time again we witness what Yeshua said about giving, emphasizing the importance of the action of giving being far more valuable than the outcome simply because it reveals the heart more than anything else, and that is what God is always after — our hearts.
We can attest to the outcome since we help feed hundreds of people and families in need on a regular basis: the smiling and humble-grateful faces that receive much-needed help is something that touches our hearts deeply. To see that and know that you are a blessing to someone, is in fact our calling as believers, regardless of what walk of life you’re from.
But the act of giving itself is so important because Yeshua Himself said that when you give to the least of His brethren… you GIVE TO HIM.
We should never lose sight of that: our giving is placed in the hands of precious people in need, yet is received by Yeshua Himself.
So as we keep that in mind, we press forward during this Hanukkah and Christmas season to ensure we can gather as many givers as we can who want to do something for the “least of Yeshua’s brethren”, so you can experience the joy of knowing you’ve done it FOR HIM.
This Hanukkah and Christmas we are planning a celebration project, so we can help feed more families than ever, and we want to give these people and children the opportunity to experience God’s love as never before.
To be able to give a much-needed gift to someone who has never experienced Hanukkah or Christmas, and to show them the Heart of God behind it… That is a sure way to reach someone with the love of Christ.
Will you prayerfully consider being a part of our Army of Givers this holiday season?
Whatever your gift is, Yeshua never looked at the gift itself, he looked and saw the heart behind it. He said whatever was done to the least of His brethren, was done for Him.
Beit Hallel is a Messianic Jewish congregation in Ashdod, led by pastor Israel Pochtar, serving holocaust survivors and the poor and needy locally and throughout the nation of Israel, while building up the body of Messiah in the promised land of Israel.