You Did For Me

By Rick Borger

Summary:
This play is based on Matthew 25:31-40, illustrating how Jesus' teachings on helping others apply to everyday life. The story follows Rachel, who questions why Jesus allows suffering in the world. As she prays, she reflects on encounters with individuals in need—a struggling single mother, a sick woman, and a persecuted refugee. Each person turns to her with the haunting question: "Why didn't you help me?" The play concludes with Jesus' powerful words: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me."

A child actors' version presents the same themes through relatable schoolyard experiences—poverty, exclusion, and illness—reinforcing the message that serving others is serving Christ.

Run-time: Approximately 8-10 minutes
Cast:

• Regular version: 5 actors (Narrator, Rachel, Beth, Mrs. Swanson, Mr. C)
• Child actors' version: 5 actors (Narrator, Jesus, Righteous Person, Rachel, three supporting roles - Alice, Barbara, Cathy)

Option 1 - Regular Version

Narrator (may be offstage): When Jesus comes to judge the world, He will sit on His throne in glory, and He will put the righteous people on His right side, and will say to them, “Come, you who are blessed by my father; take your reward, for I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you visited me.”

(Enter Rachel, Beth, S., and C. Beth, S., and C stand with backs to audience, upstage, when they have no lines.)

Rachel (praying): Jesus, I want to ask you something. I just don't understand why you made the world such a sad place. Take Elizabeth Brown, for example. She’s a single mother on welfare, and she can hardly even afford anything to eat. Do you know what she said to me after church this morning?

Beth: Uh, good morning, Rachel.

Rachel: Good morning, Elizabeth.

Beth: I haven’t been coming here very long, you know. Does this church have any kind of a food bank, or something to help a person who’s kind of short on grocery money this month?

Rachel: Uh, I’m not sure. You can ask the deacons or somebody. (Beth turns away. Rachel prays again.) I could have offered to help her out; I almost invited her and her children to lunch, but I don’t want to get involved with everybody who needs a handout. Why do there seem to be so many single mothers and people on welfare attending our church? Why can’t you fix it so that they at least have enough to eat?

Beth (turning head around): Why didn’t you feed me. . . .

Option 2 - Child Actors' Version

Narrator: When Jesus comes to judge the world, He will sit on His throne in glory, and He will put the righteous people on His right side, and will say to them:

Jesus: Come, you who are blessed by my father; take your reward, for I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you visited me.

Narrator: Then the righteous will answer Him:

Righteous: Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we welcome you, or visit you?

Jesus: I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. (Exit narrator, Jesus, righteous person. Enter Rachel, Alice, Barb, and Cathy. Alice, Barb, and Cathy stand upstage with backs to audience when they have no lines.)

Rachel (praying): Jesus, I want to ask you something. I just don't understand why you made the world such a sad place. Take Alice for example. Her parents are so poor she hardly has anything to eat. Do you know what happened at lunch today? (Rachel and Alice make lunch scene.)

Alice (mimes taking sandwich out of bag, unwrapping it, and looking under bread.): Hey, Rachel?

Rachel: Yes, Alice?

Alice: Would you like to trade one of your sandwiches for a nice margarine sandwich?

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