Matthew 25:31-46
verse 40: “The King will reply, ’I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
verse 45: “He will reply, ’I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
When I read this passage, I don’t know what to think or feel. I know I do not fall clearly into one or the other of these groups. And when does this happen? When Jesus comes again to us? I hope to be nicely tucked into heaven at that point! The best I can do with these verses is to pray to God for understanding, and do my best moving forward to serve and comfort others. Jesus is looking for kind and generous hearts, full of forgiveness and humility.
Heavenly Father, you see me as I am, and I can hold nothing back from you or hide anything from you. You have seen all of my deeds, the good and the bad. I ask you to be merciful with me. I often feel lost and uncertain and unsure of my purpose. I need you to guide my soul, alongside you. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kay
Matthew 25: 1-16
The things we are asked to do are so simple: give food and drink to those who are hungry and thirsty; clothe those who are naked, visit those who are sick and in jail. Whether I realize it or not, every time I take care of a brother or sister in need it is Jesus himself I are serving. An important point to remember is ‘You did it to me, not for me’. Jesus identifies himself especially with the people in need. Every time we neglect to help a brother or sister in need, we neglect Jesus himself. Lets not forget to reach out to others as we are asked to. To treat everyone I encounter …
Matthew 25: 31-46
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
We are able to show love for God by showing love and compassion for the people we meet along the way who are unable to help us in return. Helping a homeless person, volunteering at a food kitchen or sponsoring a child in a third-world country are all ways we are able to “help God”. Jesus makes this so simple to do. It is also something that is attainable.
Dearest Lord, you have given me so much. Let me not be skeptical when looking at the beggar and thinking tha…
Perhaps one interpretation of this difficult passage could be as an illustration of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. Both groups were totally unaware of when they did or did not do the things Jesus describes. To those in whom the Spirit dwells, these acts of love and charity come as naturally as breathing and are hardly consciously noticed. To those without the Spirit doing such acts never crosses their mind and if they happen to do one occasionally they become so puffed up with self-congratulatory hubris they believe they do them all the time. When judgement comes they are shocked. “I’m a good person!” Well, not so much.
Prayer - Jesus, here I am again for a…