Reading:   Matthew 25: 31-46

The Final Judgment

31  "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

32  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,

33  and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left.

34  Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

35  for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

36  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'

37  Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?

38  And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee?

39  And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?'

40  And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

41  Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels;

42  for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,

43  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'

44  Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?'

45  Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.'

46  And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

COMMENTARY

As we read this passage, we find that it is related to the ministries of World Vision.  Feeding those who are hungry, quenching those who are thirsty, visiting those who are in prison and clothing those who are naked.

When Jesus comes again He will divide the nation into 2 parts.  To those who belong to the goats, they stand on His left.  To those who belong to the sheep, they stand on His right.

Jesus rewards those that belong to the sheep, by inviting them to inherit His Kingdom.  His reward was for those who had looked after the least of his people in this world.  Refugees, people from poor countries are often looked down upon by those who are rich but Jesus acts differently.  He said, if we feed those people who are least in the world, we are feeding Christ.

As World Vision ministers to these people around the world, we are indeed glad to be part of this ministry in feeding one of the least of God’s people and we also assure them of entering into His Kingdom.

What happens to those who belong to the goats.  Jesus punishes them by putting them into an eternal fire, for their lack of concern and help for those who are in need.  They failed to feed those who are hungry, give a drink to those who are thirsty, clothe those who are naked, visit those who are sick and in prison.

We see this punishment in the story of the rich man and Lazarus , the beggar in Luke Chapter 16.

There was a rich man, who had plenty to eat, plenty to drink and beautiful clothes to put on.  Just outside his gate, there was a beggar full of sores on his legs.  The beggar or Lazarus was waiting for the left overs of the rich man's meals in orders to eat it.  The rich man has never ever offered a cup of water or a bowl of rice to the beggar.  He cared too much for himself.  On the other hand, the beggar did not complain though sometimes he went hungry, (the dogs also ate the left overs).

Finally, both died and Lazarus was carried away by Abraham.  Lazarus has found peace, comfort and joy.  The rich man was in hell burning.  He looked up and asked Abraham to allow Lazarus to dip his finger into some water so that it can cool his lips.  Abraham refused and commented on the life style of the rich man without caring even for one person who is just outside his gate.

Where do we belong?  The sheep or goats? Serving God through World Vision, are we happy to know that we belong to the sheep as we feed the least of God's people?

SING A SONG "OH!, TO BE LIKE THEE"

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYER (say together)

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the opportunity to feed these, the least of your people, and indeed we are thankful that in your Name, we are able to shine forth your light into this dark world.  May you help us, strengthen us and give us wisdom as we minister to the poor.