Christ Values These Least Brothers (Matt. 25:40). By Dr. Chapman Chen

Introduction: In one of his most powerful teachings, Jesus paints a vivid picture of the final judgment in Matthew 25:31–46. The Son of Man, seated on his glorious throne, separates the nations as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. He welcomes the righteous into the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, praising them for feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting the imprisoned. The key verse, Matthew 25:40, reveals the heart of Christ's message: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

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1. The Most Vulnerable & Downtrodden Members of Creation

Traditionally, this passage has been understood in terms of human acts of mercy. But it is time to widen our spiritual lens. Who are “the least” if not also the vulnerable, voiceless animals who suffer at the hands of human exploitation? They are certainly among the most defenceless and downtrodden members of creation. In a world where billions of animals are factory farmed, caged, mutilated, experimented on, and slaughtered, we must ask: can we truly claim to serve Christ while ignoring or participating in this mass violence?

2. No Room for Selective Compassion

The logic of Jesus’ teaching leaves no room for selective compassion. He does not say, “Whatever you did for the least of humans,” but rather, “the least of these brothers of mine.” All creatures come from God. All were called “very good” in the beginning (Genesis 1:31). God is love (1 John 4:8 NIV); God loves the world (John 3:16), including ALL His creation (Psalm 140, 145:9); Christ is the Word through whom all things were made (John 1:3), and He is compassion (Matthew 9:13; 12:7). Animals, too, belong to the household of God. They too are Christ’s kin.

3. When We Help Abused Animals, We’re Doing it to Christ

When we take direct action to rescue badly abused animals from cages in animal farms and slaughterhouses, when we do outreach to promote veganism and expose the atrocities and madness of meatism, when we heal and feed sick and hungry animals, when we give clean water to parched wildlife, when we open our homes and hearts to dogs, cats, or orphaned farmed animals—when we clothe the shivering with shelter and warmth—we are doing it to Christ.

4. When We Are Non-Vegan, We Are Failing Christ

And when we fail to act—when we purchase the products of cruelty, when we consume the flesh of those who suffered and died without dignity, when we turn a blind eye to their cries—we are failing Christ.

“What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me” (Matt. 25:45).

5. A Love that Transcends Boundaries

This is not sentimentalism. It is the radical ethic of love that Jesus embodied: a love that crosses boundaries, defies convention, and reaches to the margins. The kingdom of God is not built on dominion, but on mercy. As Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matt. 5:7).

6. How to End up on Christ’s Right Hand Side

To live in harmony with Christ is to refuse to harm the innocent, not even the least ones. It is to recognise the divine presence in every living being. As we await the coming of the Son of Man in glory, may we already begin to separate ourselves—not by species or nation—but by acts of compassion, so that when He comes, we may be found at His right hand.

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