Matthew 25:31-46 · Matthew 24:42 · Matthew 25:13 · Matthew 25:14-30 · Ephesians 2:1-10 — Serving
Service Rewarded
Christians serve not from obligation but from their transformed character. This parable reveals that the righteous act out of who they are, naturally caring for the poor and vulnerable, while unknowingly serving Jesus himself.
Introduction
I tell this story reluctantly as a means to make a point. In Minnesota last week, I went down early to pay my bill for the hotel. A prepared statement had been prepared and someone during the night slid it under our hotel door. On the way down to the lobby, I was reviewing the bill and noticed that we had only been charged for 4 nights rather than 5. At the front desk, I told the attendants about the mistake. Both of them gave me odd looks. “I want to pay for what we used” I said. To which the man said, “I appreciate your honesty.” This allowed them to recheck records of everyone who checked in on Tuesday and to make sure that everyone got charged full amount.
His comment made me think about a couple of things. First, complimenting someone for what is good and right suggests that evil is ever present in our world. To get something at the expense of another is fairly common in our world. We can even label it as good when in fact it isn’t good. As Christians we are interested in making sure that we pay for the labor of another without taking from them. Second, character is seen in the day to day events of life not just in the big events. Who we are as a person may be defined in our time together but it is expressed on a daily basis. To use the word Christian means that we represent him well.
We hold our tongues so that curses do not come from our lips. For how can we bless God and curse another. We treat others the way would want to be treated because we see others as Jesus in the flesh rather than judging people in earthly ways. We take the focus off of ourselves and allow God to be seen through us because we recognize that we are God’s representatives.
We have been rediscovering how to serve in this world. It begins with being people who understand who we are in connection to God. We recognize that we have been created to serve. God made us to add to the good in this world. We change our minds and hearts to understand that we approach this world in order to serve. No one can walk over us when we choose to be lower. We recognize that there is a constant battle to practice humility rather than struggling to see if we can be in control. We recognize that when we come to understand our connection with God that we can serve. We know that this we are not in this world for long and that we are going to return to God one day. We recognize that serving comes from God’s power not our own. We recognize that when we serve that Jesus calls us his friends. This is what we want—to be a friend to Jesus. We conclude our series today.
The Context
Matthew arranges his gospel material in chapters 24–25 to make a point about the final days. In chapter 24 he answers the questions concerning the destruction of the temple as well as his return at the end of the age. At the end of chapter 24 in verse 42, Jesus warns to keep watch because no one knows when the Lord will come. Then Matthew uses three parables to make that point become more vivid.
In chapter 25 the first parable is about the wise and foolish virgins waiting for the bridegroom to arrive. The foolish ones had not were not prepared for the bridegrooms arrival. Verse 13 offers the same point as found in Matthew 24:42—Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Then in 25:14–30, the parable of the talents is used to make a similar point—waiting for the Lord requires that one act in anticipation of that return. Using what God has given results in praise from the Lord. Failure to use what God has given results in punishment.
Then we come to our text. Verses 31–46 paints a judgment scene. The disciples wanted to know when Jesus would come in his full glory. Jesus tells this parable to answer that question. The scene depicts the nations all being gathered before him and Jesus as the King of glory who will divide into two groups.
Sheep and goats was a common designation in Jesus’ day. Sheep were highly valued and brought more income in the farmer’s life than did goats. This image of sheep and goats was common and shouldn’t be pressed any further. Right and left designated strength and weakness.
The righteous are placed on the right and the unrighteous are on the left. The pronouncements are almost identical. The righteous did what the unrighteous did not do. There are several lessons.
Lessons
First, the acts of service done were for those who are poor. The King is interested in his servants taking care of those who are poor. We are committed to helping the poor here. There are a number of ways that we are trying to do that through the work of Memphis Urban Ministries. Your weekly contribution helps with such. We also help a number of families within our congregation who are in need. But our service to the poor as a congregation does not release us from individual opportunities. Each person who is a Christian will seek out ways to help those who are in need of help. We may provide a meal; a contribution; a warm coat; a visit to another.
We can become so self-absorbed that we fail to take responsibility for our actions as a Christian. Phone calls to those needing encouragement are the responsibility of every Christian. Knocking on the door of one needing a visit is the responsibility of every Christian. Helping someone who is sick is the privilege of every Christian. To assume someone else will take care of such matters is not thinking like Jesus.
Second, neither the sheep nor the goats were aware that their actions were for Jesus. Both the sheep and the goats acted within the basis of their character. The righteous served others because this is who they are. The unrighteous failed to serve because this is who they are. The righteous helped others not recognizing that they were helping Jesus. The unrighteous walked away from others not recognizing that they were walking away from Jesus. This is the basis of character. The kind of person you are comes out in the day to day events of life. As Christians we have this parable and recognize that helping others is helping Jesus. But the will and motivation to do so comes from who we are. Givers or selfish. Servants or rulers.
Third, notice verse 46. The judgment results in eternal punishment for the unrighteous and eternal life for the righteous. Eternal is forever. No turning of the calendar. No watches necessary. We cannot understand eternal but we can understand punishment and life.
We began this series looking at Ephesians 2:1–10 and being reminded that God created us to add to the good in this world. Notice verse 41. The eternal fire—hell—was created for the devil and his angels. God created us to live. He created hell for the devil and his angels not for us. God doesn’t want any to perish but all to come repentance. Eternal life is what he made us for.
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