Being Ready To Meet Jesus

Being Ready by Helping Others

Matthew 25:31-46

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

To hear that we “will one day see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (26:64) provokes mixed emotions. Just the thought of leaving this world that is not our home (Hebrews 13:14-16), being vindicated as righteous (Luke 18:7), and meeting and spending an eternity with Jesus (John 14:1-4) fills the believer with unspeakable joy. Whereas His first appearance was one of obscurity, lowliness (Philippians 2:7-8), service and atonement; upon His return Jesus will be seen in His glory not just as the Lamb that was slain (1 Peter 1:19-20) but in His full deity, accompanied by the angels and sitting upon His throne (25:31)! Not everyone will be happy to see Jesus! The Father who is the judge of the vision of Daniel 7 has given Christ the authority to execute judgement on both the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5) because He is the Son of Man (John 5:19-29)! The theme of judgement that runs throughout Matthew reaches its climax in chapter 25 when Christ announces that the court is about to convene not to “depict a trial” but to separate the Sheep from the Goats and eternally “repay every person for what they have done” with the life God has given them (Matthew 16:27)! While Matthew 25:31-46 is often described as a parable it is meant to be a description of what will actually take place on Judgement Day, the Sheep (believers) will be rewarded in heaven and the Goats (unbelievers) will be punished in hell. Remarkably Jesus does not point to following His laws (1 John 5:1-4), or faith in His atoning sacrifice (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9) as litmus tests of being a Sheep, as is given in other places in Scripture, but in taking care of His brothers and sisters (25:40).

Are you Ready for Jesus’ Return?

The parables of the Olivet Discourse in Matthew accentuate the truth that the suddenness of the return of the Lord means everyone ought to remain in a perpetual state of readiness to be found faithful! To be a Sheep not only does a person need to have faith in Jesus (1 John 2:20–23; 4:2–3; 4:15; 5:1) and obey His commands (1 John 2:3–6; 3:4–10; 5:2) but also show their love for other believers (1 John 2:9–11; 3:14; 4:7–21) by taking care of their physical and spiritual wellbeing. In the parable of the Homeowner and the Thief (24:43-44) we learn of the danger of letting “peace and safety” or the delay of the Lord’s return lull us into focusing on the things of this world instead of His kingdom that will inevitably come! The Sheep are to “keep watch” (24:42) by living righteous lives regardless of their circumstances or what kind of person may be watching their behavior. They are to “live each day so that they will neither be afraid of Tomorrow nor ashamed of Yesterday!” In eagerly “waiting with all creation for it full liberation (Romans 8:18-25) their hope lies in God’s kingdom, not in the kingdom people create!” In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (25:1-13) we learn that since we do not know the day or the hour of Christ’s return (24:36) to be found faithful one must strive to live “every moment of each day, whether in the privacy of our homes, with unbelievers, or in the recesses of our minds in a manner that at no time would we be ashamed if Christ returned.” In the Parable of the Bags of Gold we learn that being prepared for the Lord’s return also means “intentional productivity” by doing good deeds unto our brothers and sisters in Christ! Those who have been naturally endowed by the Holy Spirit to do kingdom work ought to examine themselves to see if their words, thoughts, and deeds are focused on honorably serving their Master! And finally, in today’s Parable of the Sheep and the Goats we learn that since Jesus will return without warning to judge our service one is to live every moment considering the eternity God constantly and joyfully has placed within our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11)!

Separating the Sheep from the Goats

When the Lord returns, He will gather the “nations before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (25:32). While in most parts of the world this separation of sheep from goats would make little sense considering they are rarely mixed together, in “the lands surrounding Palestine they often run together, and native breeds can look alike in size, color and shape.” At night they were often separated into two groups: the sheep who can tolerate the cool air, and the goats who must be herded together to keep warm. Another difference between these two groups of animals is that sheep have “greater utility and value” and therefore cost more than goats. The point of Jesus comparing His Day of Judgement to this shepherd simile is to emphasize that even though people live “mixed up together” in this world they will one day be separated with the sheep being placed on His right and the Goats on His left. The sheep are placed on the right, a place of honor (Psalms 110:1), because as believers, brothers, and sisters of Christ they are destined to go to heaven and spend an eternity with the Master. The goats are placed on the left side of Jesus because they never “knew” or worshipped Jesus and as such are destined to be eternally punished in the lake of fire. There is “no middle ground between the saved and the lost,” you are either a sheep or a goat! At this point in the parable the reader is left to ponder the question: if Jesus returned today which group would He place you?