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MATTHEW - Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Matthew
PART 4 - Jesus' Last Ministries in Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1 - 25:46)
C - Christ's Sermon on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24:1-25:46) -- The Sixth Collection of Words of Jesus

15. Christ’s Judgment on His Loving Followers (Matthew 25:34-40)


MATTHEW 25:34-40
34 Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, 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 to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. 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, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? 25:39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’ 40 The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
(Isaiah 58:7, Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 10:42, Hebrews 11:2)

Christ calls His faithful followers, "the blessed of My Father," for they became, through their faith in Him, the children of God in truth. The eternal Holy One is their Father. He poured His good Spirit into them, filled their hearts with His love, and gave them His many blessings. They were not good in themselves, but through their faith in Christ they were changed and renewed in all areas of their lives. In their hearts they carry the hidden kingdom of God which will appear shining from their faces when Christ comes. Then Christ will repeat, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" and it will then be true.

Christ explained that the kingdom of heaven is, in fact, the kingdom of the Father. The people of His kingdom are brothers and sisters in the Holy Spirit, born of one Father, and Christ considers them His own brothers and sisters. Do you belong to the family of God? Do you know that the Holy One is your everlasting Father? Christ's blood sanctifies you completely, and His Spirit prompts you to deeds of kindness and perseverance in His service. We are told that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our sure inheritance in the kingdom.

At the hour of judgment, Christ will not weigh your intellectual or emotional faith, but the fruit of your love. He will not discuss with you doctrines and rituals, nor will He ask you which denomination you belonged to. He will ask you if you satisfied those who were hungry with daily bread and spiritual nutrition. He is aware of every cup of water you have given to the needy. He has recorded every kind word by which you comforted those in distress, opening to them the way to your joyful meetings. Have you ever presented new clothes or even used clothes to a poor person? Christ Himself received your gift and put it on, for He considers Himself as everyone in need. Everything you do to others you do to Christ himself. He cares deeply for those who are suffering.

Your service for Christ will be examined at the judgment, but not for your justification, because this was completed at Golgotha. Your true essence will be revealed on the Day of Judgment. Do you visit the sick? Do you read to the blind? Do you help your weak classmates? Do you pray for the worried and the lonely? Have you let the Spirit of the Lord change you into a faithful servant? All your thoughts, prayers, and tears are not much use if they're not followed by practical action in service to others through Christ. Christ supports His people, and interests Himself in their interests. He is in them and they are in Him. If Christ Himself were recognized among the poor, how readily would we help Him? In prison, how frequently would we visit Him? Wherever His poor servants are, there Christ is ready to receive our kindnesses to them, and these will be put to our account.

In the parable, it's strange that on the day of judgment, the blessed of the Father ask Christ, "When did we serve you?" They don't realize the importance of their works of love or the value of their preaching. They speak and act from a heart flowing over with love. They humble themselves with the despised ones and the poor, rather than the rich and famous. In doing this, they follow Christ's example. The Savior came down from heaven to cure the sick and save sinners. If you want to meet Christ, search for the poor and needy around you. There you will find Christ, and be changed into His image.

PRAYER: Oh You, the Holy One, You are love. Forgive me my selfishness and break my proud heart that I may serve those who have need of You with humbleness. I want to reach out to poor sinners as You sat with them and saved them. Fill me with Your love that I may inherit, with all the blessed of our Father, Your spiritual kingdom which You purchased for us by Your death. We glorify You because You are the eternal Judge. My account is in Your hands. You are our Redeemer, and on Your death, we lay our hope.

QUESTION:

  1. Why did Jesus, in his speech about judgment, not talk about faith, but concentrated only on the works of love?

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