Matthew 25:31-46 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 25:31-46 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Verse 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, Verse 33and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Verse 34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; Verse 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, Verse 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Verse 37Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? Verse 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? Verse 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' Verse 40And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Verse 41Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; Verse 42for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, Verse 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Verse 44Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Verse 45Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' Verse 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Devotion
With visions of roasted turkeys, pumpkin pies, family gatherings, and shopping frenzies dancing in our pre-Thanksgiving minds, perhaps it is not so easy to connect with the shepherds, sheep, and goats of Jesus’ illustration. He poses an interesting dilemma: for those of us who have plenty and who celebrate God’s presence in the abundance we enjoy, having plenty can make us thankful and it can distract us. It is both bane and blessing. Can we find a way to connect with “the least of these”? Will we carve out a little space in our hearts to see the presence of Jesus in those without adequate food, water, or clothing? When will you see Jesus in the stranger, or the sick, or the imprisoned?
It’s as if Jesus wanted us to connect every human encounter with an opportunity to meet him by working with basic human needs. In whom have you seen Jesus lately? This image of our future is both promising and convicting -- as we bask in God’s grace, will we be so bold as to issue ourselves to a world of hurt and need? If so, when? If not you, who?
Prayer
We praise and thank you, our God and King, for the blessings we enjoy. Give us the eyes to see you in those hurting and lacking, and propel us into a life of thankful service. Amen.