April 7, 2010

ARE YOU A SHEEP OR A GOAT?

Matthew 25:31-46

Susan Coy
Wednesday's Devo

April 7, 2010

Wednesday's Devo

April 7, 2010

Central Truth

Jesus is quite clear about the way He wants us to love one another. There appears to be a judgment of sheep and goats—those who have professed faith and have fleshed it out, and those who have talked the talk, but have not walked the walk.

Key Verse | Matthew 25:40

"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'" (Matthew 25:40)

Matthew 25:31-46

The Final Judgment

31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 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, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, 1 25:40 Or brothers and sisters you did it to me.’

41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Footnotes

[1] 25:40 Or brothers and sisters

Dive Deeper | Matthew 25:31-46

How many times have you taken a meal to one of your close friends in a time of need? Given a gift to a family member? Complimented or encouraged a dear friend? Filled in for someone serving in your church or school? Had good friends over for dinner? Or simply acted out of kindness to serve and care for someone you know and love?

In how many of these scenarios is it likely that what you did for someone else will be reciprocated?

When was the last time you stopped to talk to or encourage someone who is alone that you did not know well? Had a chat that was meaningful and uplifting with the checkout person at the grocery store or your waiter/waitress at a restaurant? Or even better—the person asking for money on the street? Fed the homeless? Took in the homeless? Ministered to the widow and the orphan? Or simply served and gave to people you may never see again?

How much of your time, treasures, and talents go toward those who cannot return the favor?

I recently read The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision. Stearns paraphrases some of the verses that we are reading today:

For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me deported. I needed clothes, but you needed more clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the behaviors that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I deserved. (RESV – Richard E. Stearns Version)

How often do we take care of ourselves and those we love while giving little time or attention to strangers, our enemies, the needy, and the poor?

Jesus says, what you do to the least of these, you do to Me.

How am I doing at this?

How can I love and serve with a more pure heart?

How can I better use my time, treasures, and talents?

How about you?

Discussion Questions

1. As you read the following verses, ask yourself the questions found in the Traveler’s Log above. And then ask yourself, does the way you love others testify that you are a sheep or a goat?

Luke 6:27-38
James 1:27
1 John 4:20
Luke 12:48
James 1:22
Colossians 3:23-24

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. God is pleased when we help others in need. Who do you know that is in need?

2. How can you help them this week?