Scripture
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 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. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Reflection
I don’t know if you are like me, but I have long read this passage as if I were the one who determined who was a sheep or goat. As if I were the one to decide which of the two I was. So many of us were brought up to believe that if we were ‘Christian’ we’d be automatically lumped into this safe group. But we aren’t, and our faith needs to be proven true. How can we do that? Thank God there is a way we can see if we have a true faith that is alive. James 2:26 states that, “faith without deeds is dead.” Additionally, Matthew goes on in verse 35-39 to detail some everyday actions that transpire that reveal if our faith is indeed alive.
“ 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
If you have truly confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart that Jesus is Lord, then those actions should naturally lead you towards acting out your faith with deeds. It is a good reminder that it is not us who determines who is a sheep or goat, but the Son of Man, Jesus, who sits on the throne that truly judges if your faith is congruent with your deeds.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What does this passage tell you about humanity?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.
Prayer
Today, take a moment, wherever you are, to PAUSE in God’s presence. Find a spot where you can stop and be quiet for a minute.