在19世紀初期，伊麗莎白．弗萊（Elizabeth Fry）對當時倫敦女子監獄的惡劣環境感到震驚。女囚犯和她們的兒女全都擠在一起，被迫睡在冰冷的石頭地板上。她們沒有床和被褥，卻可以得到杜松子酒。弗萊持續多年到監獄探訪女囚犯，藉由贈送衣物、創辦學校與教導聖經真理，為監獄帶來改變。但許多人認為她最大的影響，就是她充滿愛心的陪伴，以及清楚傳講那帶給人盼望的信息。

伊麗莎白．弗萊以行動遵循耶穌的吩咐，服事那些有需要的人。耶穌在橄欖山上，講述一系列有關末世的比喻，其中一個提到義人「要往永生裡去」（馬太福音25章46節）。在這個比喻中，君王告訴義人，他們給祂水喝、邀請祂到家中做客，以及到監獄裡去探望祂（35-36節）。他們想不起來自己何時曾經做過這些事，君王就說：「這些事你們既做在我這弟兄中一個最小的身上，就是做在我身上了。」（40節）

當我們靠著聖靈的幫助去服事他人的時候，就是在服事耶穌，這是何等奇妙啊！我們可以效法伊麗莎白．弗萊的榜樣，也可以在家中服事人，例如為他人代禱，或傳送鼓勵人的信息。耶穌喜悅我們因為愛祂，而用自己的屬靈恩賜和才幹去幫助別人。

In the early 1800s, Elizabeth Fry was appalled by the conditions in a London women’s prison. Women and their children were crowded together and made to sleep on the cold stone floors. Although they weren’t given bedding, a tap flowed with gin. For years, she visited the prison and ushered in change by providing clothes, opening a school, and teaching the Bible. But many saw her biggest influence as her loving presence and clear messages of hope.

In her actions, she followed Jesus’ invitation to serve those in need. For instance, while on the Mount of Olives, Christ shared several stories about the end of the age, including one about the welcome of “the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). In this story, the King tells the righteous people that they gave Him something to drink, invited Him in, and visited Him in prison (vv. 35-36). When they couldn’t recall doing so, the King responds: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (v. 40).

What a wonder that when we serve others with the help of the Holy Spirit, we serve Jesus! We can follow Elizabeth Fry’s example, and we can also serve from home, such as through intercessory prayer or sending encouraging messages. Jesus welcomes us to love Him as we use our spiritual gifts and talents to assist others.