Matthew – God’s Purposes
In our fast paced world it is pretty easy to fill your vehicle’s tank with gas, get groceries, eat a bite at a fast food place, pick up wanted items at stores, and run other errands without really looking at the people who serve you, walk by you or sit at the intersection. You can also work at a job all day long, focused only on the work given to you, without looking at the people who work around you or the people you serve.We look at our phones, hoping for an update or two about the people we know and the people they know, but we don’t look as much at real faces with eyes that show the need for love and acknowledgement that they are of value and importance to you. We’re either avoiding or not listening to the hurt and need in real voices that long for human interaction. We are too self absorbed in our hurt.
It shouldn’t be surprising, almost shocking, to those who serve you when you smile and ask how THEY are doing today while looking into their eyes expecting a response without looking beyond them. But it is.
Lord, when I looked away, did I miss seeing you?
When did we see you?
Matthew 25, NLT
The Final Judgment
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his 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 creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
GOING DEEPER STILL…
We must not force this passage to teach salvation by good works. A superficial reading would give the impression that helping one’s neighbor is sufficient to earn salvation and go to heaven. But this is not the message of this passage. Nobody at any time in the history of the world was ever saved by good works.
The Old Testament saints were saved by faith (Heb. 11); the New Testament saints were saved by faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8–10). People today are saved the same way. The gospel of “do good” is not a scriptural message. It is right for believers to do good (Gal. 6:10; Heb. 13:16), but this is not the way unbelievers can be saved.
This is Jesus saying that when we help one another in time of need, because of our love for Him, it is the same as doing it for Him. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. We are saved because of the completion of His mission. When we come to Jesus, realizing the depth of his love for us, we develop a close intimate loving relationship with Jesus. We begin to see others with His eyes, from His perspective all because of His love, mercy and grace for us. The closer we come to Jesus, the closer we become to others who love Jesus, too.
I am reminded of White Heart’s song, “We Are His Hands”…
We are His hands
We are His feet
We are His people
Children of the Lord
We share the hope
We share the dream
Believers in Jesus
Children of the King
His Spirit lives within us
Flowing like a river
Filling us with strength
So that we can reach out for our brother
Help one another
We are His hands
We are His feet
We are His people
Children of the Lord
We share the hope
We share the dream
Believers in Jesus
Children of the King
Some of us build, some are teachers
Some can sing like angels
But all of us can love
Like He loved, pure and simple
So warm and gentle
We are His hands
We are His feet
We are His people
Children of the Lord
We share the hope
We share the dream
Believers in Jesus
Children of the King
Songwriters: Mark Stephen Gersmehl
Dear Heavenly Father,
When do we see You? Every day in every person You put in our path on this journey. Help us to stay focused on You so we can see You in others who need a smile, a word, a hug, an acknowledgement that they are valued in Your Kingdom. Sharpen my focus so I can see You clearly. Help me not to hesitate when asked to be your hands and feet. Thank you, Lord.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 