Jump Start # 633

Matthew 25:35-36 “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; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”

Our passage today comes from a series of illustrations and principles about the coming judgment or as some call it, ‘the final judgment.’ The chapter begins with the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. The groom was away and was to return. They all expected his return. The foolish were not prepared for such a long wait. Their lamps ran out of oil and they were left outside the door pleading to be let in. They were not ready.

The second picture is of a master who left his servants various amounts of money or talents. Upon his return he wanted to see what they did with his money. Two of the three servants doubled the master’s money. He was very pleased with them. The third servant had buried his in the ground and gave the master back the exact amount that he started with. The master was furious and cast that servant out.

The third picture is of a shepherd who separates goats from the sheep. He’s interested in sheep. He wants the sheep. The goats will go.

Our passage today follows that illustration. It teaches us several important lessons.

First, the Lord is aware of what these people were doing. He knew that they had fed others, visited others and clothed others. God knows. When we invite people to our homes, God knows. When we do things to help out others, especially those in need, God knows. Little acts of kindness are witnessed and remembered by Heaven.

Second, one of the basis of judgment, not the only basis, but one of them, is what we DO. Doing seems to be a dying trait among many disciples today. Folks are long on talk. They stress what they believe, what they stand for, what they hold as their faith. They write articles, debate theories, teach classes—which all have a place, but never take the place of doing. This shows us that judgment is much more than having the right answers. It’s more than being able to pass “Heaven’s test.” Our faith does little if it doesn’t move us to act upon what we believe. Faith is more than a thought, it is put into action. Hebrews 11 shows that. By faith Noah built the ark, Abraham journeyed, Joshua marched around Jericho. Their faith led them to do things. That is a serious concern for us. Are we keeping our faith without letting it move us to action? These disciples in our passage fed, clothed and visited. Their faith did that.

Third, our passage shows that these disciples had open eyes to see these things. They were aware of others who needed feeding, clothing and being visited. Some never see these things because they can’t see beyond their own concerns and their own lives. Don’t you think that these disciples had issues, problems, and things to do, like the rest of us? Don’t you think that money was tight for them, like it is for us? Don’t you think it took some effort to cook the food, gather the clothing or travel to the prison to visit, like it would for us? Certainly. In many ways it must have been harder for them. They didn’t have the convenience of modern technology and conveniences of stores, travel or communication as we do. They had families. They had jobs. They were busy and had every reason to find an excuse not to do anything, but they did. They saw what needed to be done and they took care of it. Their faith moved them to action. They were aware of the needs of others.

Fourth, they had huge hearts that cared. That’s the drive behind all of this. They saw others who needed things, and they cared. Their love, their faith and their concern moved them to do things. Selfish folks never see the needs of others. They fuss because no one ever did anything for them.

The groom, the master, the shepherd, the king, Jesus—is coming. That’s what this chapter shows. He’s coming not to build or start, but to gather. He’s coming as the groom to gather those who are ready to a wedding feast. It will be a fabulous celebration. He’s coming as the master to gather the servants and to look at what they have done. He’s coming to separate the good from the bad. He’s coming to gather all the nations together for a judgment. He’s coming to judge. The righteous will enjoy Heaven. The wicked will be cast to Hell.

Heaven and Hell are linked together in this chapter. They are real places. People will be placed there based upon their choices, not God’s. Their actions, their decisions, their choices led to Heaven or it led away from Heaven. If there is a Heaven, then there is a Hell. If there is no Hell, then Heaven isn’t real either. One verse, one sentence ties them together. Few preach about Hell anymore. All want Heaven. Most want Hell to just go away. It won’t. It’s can’t.

Judgment. It’s coming. It’s being decided, not by God but by us. It’s not the few big things, but the every day things. It’s about today. Too busy today to do things? The same will happen tomorrow most likely. The same becomes a week, then a month, then a year, then a lifetime. We were going to, but we were too busy. We thought someone else ought to do it, not us. Before long, we will be standing before the Lord and those horrifying words, “I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat…I was in prison and you did not visit me…” Our response? We were going to Lord, but the kids needed this. Work was demanding. I just had to get away for a vacation. Nothing—nothing to eat…nothing to drink…nothing to wear…nothing but loneliness because we didn’t visit.

These words sure sink deep into our soul if we have a heart. It makes us wonder, reflect and modify things. They make us think, maybe today I need to stop by and visit the hospital, nursing home, or the lonely. Today, I need to do this between errands. These words affect us. They move us. They make us realize that we can do things. We ought to do things. We must do things.

Today is the day that I’ll do something! I hope it is! I hope you do!

Roger