Can anyone complete God's intentions for one's life? Considering of our weaknesses and sins, our reach volition always exceed our grasp. No man is noble enough, and no adult female has enough years to accomplish every goal and dream.

When we are young, this does not occur to u.s.a.. In our youth, all of life with all its possibilities stretches out before us. Nosotros experience immortal, and everything seems possible. But then the years pass—non quickly, but constantly. Our children grow up, and we grow erstwhile. One by ane, options shut, and life seems short, given all that we hoped to do and see. Disappointments make the states wonder what comes next. Is at that place more? Jesus tells united states of america what comes adjacent in Matthew 24 and 25.

Matthew 25:twoscore, "And the King will respond them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you lot did it to i of the to the lowest degree of these my brothers, you lot did it to me.'"

What Is Happening in Matthew 25:xl

Jesus says, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory" (25:31). Every phrase makes a point. Jesus, the Son of Man, volition return to the earth personally. He will return in glory, accompanied past the host of his angels. In his power, he volition take his throne.

At that fourth dimension, Jesus volition gather "all the nations" and all angels to his throne and seat of judgment (25:32, 41; Rom. 14:10). Then "he volition separate the people one from some other as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats" (25:32). Over and over, Jesus implored his disciples to sentry and exist set for that day. Since no signs will forecast the hour of Jesus' render (Matthew 24:36), the only course is to exist ready and watchful at all times. Then Jesus told two parables that depict the way of preparation; both parables deserve a review.

In the first parable, x maidens expect for a wedding procession that was long delayed (25:1-13). Five maidens brought enough oil for the wedding procession, and five did not. The five who had no oil asked the other 5 to share their oil, but the five who were prepared refused. This hardly seems loving or neighborly, just the parable has no concern for the gilded rule. Jesus bends the story's details to the principal lesson: We must be ready, and readiness is not transferable. Some things are not transferable; readiness for Jesus is one of them.

The second parable, the talents (25:14–thirty), portrays readiness in active terms. David Garland writes in his volume that "Vigilance is not a passive waiting and watching, but consists of active, responsible service. When Christ returns, he will not inquire if one had the engagement right just 'What have y'all been doing?'" Whenever Jesus may return, we will be defenseless in the act—in the act of serving him, or not.

Throughout Matthew 24–25, Jesus emphasizes deeds. Toward the end, he turns to the origin of those deeds. In the parable of the talents, when the chief went away, he entrusted his wealth to two servants who set to piece of work at once. They were eager to delight their master, to labor for his proceeds. When he returned, they gladly gave their profits to him. The root of such service is love, the kind of love most often exemplified in families. We observe satisfaction in serving people whom we love.

The parable also features a 3rd servant who did no piece of work for his principal. He did nothing with his principal's wealth simply buried information technology in the ground and handed it back to him. The dialogue reveals his reasons. He says, "I was afraid," and calls his master a "hard man" who would seize whatever he produced. He has no beloved for his primary. So then, we gear up for Jesus' return by performing "evidential works of righteousness," works that grow from the love of the rex. The virgins' oil and the stewards' talents both correspond deeds of loving obedience. Such deeds go along u.s.a. ready for the twenty-four hour period of judgment, Matthew 25 shows.

Man kneeling in front of the cross on Golgatha

Photograph credit: ©Getty Images/GordonImages

What Does Matthew 25:40 Mean?

Jesus praises the righteous for performing these acts of kindness to him, and he blames the residuum for failing to evidence kindness. The righteous are surprised by Jesus' citation. Nosotros should observe the precise course of both his praise and their surprise.

Jesus blesses the righteous non for feeding the poor, simply for feeding him. But they cannot recall the issue: "Lord, when did we run across you lot hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?" (25:37). Jesus replies, "Whatever you lot did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (25:twoscore). Past contrast, the wicked are surprised, but in the reverse manner: "Lord, when did nosotros run across you lot hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or ill or in prison house, and did not help you?" (25:44). Jesus replies, "I tell you the truth, whatever you lot did not do for one of the least of these, you did non exercise for me" (25:45).

Thus, if anyone failed to help Jesus' brothers, they failed him. Equally Jesus sees information technology, failure to aid the to the lowest degree of his brothers is sacrilege—a refusal to aid Christ himself. In Calvin'due south words, "And then then, whenever nosotros are reluctant to assistance the poor, let united states place before our eyes the Son of God, to whom it would be base sacrilege to refuse anything."

Who Are "the Least of These"?

Jesus describes both what we ought to do and for whom we ought to do it—for "the least of these brothers of mine" (25:twoscore, 45). By "my brothers," Jesus ways "my disciples," equally Matthew 12:48–49 and 28:10 show. The term "lilliputian ones" means disciples throughout Matthew (10:42; 18:6, 10, 14; cf. 5:19), and "least" is the superlative of "piffling." The least seems to be the weakest members of Jesus' spiritual family.

Along this line, when Jesus sent his disciples to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, he said that anyone who welcomed his disciples welcomed him and would exist rewarded for it (ten:forty–42). This makes us wonder: is Jesus saying he will gauge the nations based on how they treat his disciples?

Yes and no. The Bible certainly says believers ought to be especially quick to come to fellow believers' aid (Gal. half-dozen:10). Dearest for Jesus' disciples and messengers certainly proves that someone has responded properly to the gospel bulletin. Simply Moses and Jesus both commands, "Love your neighbor as yourself," so we likewise accept a debt to all neighbors (Lev. xix:18; Matt. 19:nineteen; 22:39).

Further, the Bible often says our treatment of the poor and the needy tests the genuineness of our religion (Prov. 31:20; James ii:14–16). For example, when Amos accuses Israel of faithlessness, he cites their treatment of the poor. They sell out, crush, and trample the needy (Amos ii:half-dozen–7; 4:1; viii:4–half-dozen). But when Task proves he is God's friend, he says, "I was a father to the needy" (Job 29:xvi).

What Does Jesus Teach about Helping Those in Need?

Works are the evidence, just non the basis for Jesus' judgment. The basis or cause is our heart response to Jesus. Simply our works either prove or disprove our claim that our heart and mind trust in Jesus. We know the Bible says we are justified by faith. How then can we be judged by works?

First, the unabridged Bible teaches all our works will be examined. We volition account for them all on the concluding day (Ps. 62:12; Jer. 17:10; Matt. 16:27; ii Cor. 5:x; one Peter ane:17; Rev. twenty:12). But this is not salvation by works because our works follow our center commitments.

In the last line of Psalm 62, David says, "Lord, … surely you volition advantage each person according to what he has done" (62:12). But hear it in context. David says,

"My soul finds rest in God alone.…

He alone is my rock and salvation.…

Trust in him at all times, O people …

though your riches increase,

do non set your centre on them.…

… you lot, O God, are stiff, …

yous, O Lord, are loving.

Surely you lot volition reward each person

according to what he has done. (Ps. 62:ane–2, viii, 10–12)

Because David trusts the Lord lone, he is confident that his life, including his works, reflects that trust. He is confident that the Lord will see David'south loyalty in his deeds. Our words and deeds witness and testify to our heart delivery on judgment day. They supply public, verifiable testify of our centre's condition (Matt. 7:17–18; 12:33–35; James 2:14–26).

friends in face masks due to COVID-19 helping at food pantry small group serving

Photograph credit: ©Getty Images/Biserka Stojanovic

What Does This Mean for Us?

Matthew 25:40 teaches several vital things most eternal destinies. Get-go, they are eternal. Jesus tells the righteous: "Come up, you who are blessed by my Father; accept your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the cosmos of the earth" (25:34). Simply he tells the cursed: "Depart … into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (25:41).

There is symmetry here. The wicked "get away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life" (25:46). Yet, at that place is a difference. The Lord always intended to spend eternity with his people. We inherit "the kingdom prepared … since the cosmos of the world" (25:34). Only God prepared hell for the devil and his angels, non for humanity.

The basis for our eternal destiny is our response to the gospel and the messengers who bring God's word, whether they do so by formal preaching or quiet testimony. Jesus says both the sheep and the goats will be surprised on the terminal day—but not at their destiny. If you love Jesus, repent of your sins, know him as Savior, and follow him daily; it is your indelible aspiration to see Jesus face to face. Believers volition be joyful, not surprised at their destiny. Nor will unbelievers be stunned to hear that Jesus neither knows nor welcomes them. Afterward all, they neither knew nor welcomed him, and they had no want for heaven.

The surprise lies not with the destiny assigned but with the reason given. Neither sheep nor goats knew their deeds were so weighty. The righteous did non perform to proceeds a advantage but to show love to the needy, especially Jesus' disciples. But then such deeds will count because they were free gifts, not calculated acts.

Live in Faith

Our task today is to gear up to meet Jesus, our skillful king. We do this not by looking for signs of his render only past trusting him, loving him, looking to run into the Dandy Shepherd, the Son of David, the Son of God, every day. Nosotros follow him and live every bit he lived, not to earn His favor, but from pure delight in him. And when we fail, we remember. The same Jesus who urged yous to love your neighbor died on the cross, to bear the penalty of sin when you lot do not love him or your neighbour. Grace volition embrace those failings, so that he will bless us.

Because of our religion and the good deeds that sprang from it—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the prisoner—he will say, "Well done, expert and true-blue retainer!… Come up and share your master'due south happiness" (Matt. 25:21).

This world is proficient but flawed and very curt compared to eternity. Through fourth dimension and eternity, God the Male parent, Son, and Spirit is Lord of the living. By his love, he put the powers of death to expiry through His finished and sufficient work. Equally we trust him, nosotros prepare to alive with him forever.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/trumzz

Dave Jenkinsis happily married to Sarah Jenkins. He is a author, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon.

This commodity is office of our larger resource library of pop Bible verse phrases and quotes. We desire to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our promise that these volition aid you better understand the pregnant and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.

  • Exercise Unto Others
  • The Truth Will Ready Y'all Gratis
  • Baby-sit Your Eye
  • Love Ane Another
  • Blessed Are the Meek

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