Surprise Endings: WHEN? Matthew 25:31-46
Introduction
We are at the end of our four-part sermon series called Surprise Endings. This parable is different in some ways. It does not begin with “the Kingdom of heaven is like” - leading some to believe it is not specifically a parable. It is the conclusion of a long teaching by Jesus usually called the Olivet Discourse (because it is delivered to his disciples on the Mount of Olives). It begins in MT 24:1 and concludes here. This is the closing of Jesus’ 3-year teaching ministry. (Matthew 26:1-4) The next two chapters race through the last supper, betrayal, garden prayer, trials, crucifixion, resurrection, and commission. This text gives us a glimpse of the return of Jesus. This text contains TWO Surprise Endings (Read Text) There are two surprise endings here, and the first one relates to the sheep who wondered…
1. WHEN DID WE SEE YOU? (MT 25:37-40)
It caught them by surprise that they had done anything for Jesus. In their wonder, they asked him When? He gives 6 examples of times they had ministered to Him. They served him ….
In the Hungry. (“Last year, almost 124 million people across 51 countries faced crisis levels of hunger, driven by conflicts and climate disasters, the U.N. said.” (Reuters)
In the Thirsty. (Everyone here has used water today. In our world 748 million, more than 2X the population of the US, 1 in 9 people, lack access to safe water. 80% of all illness in the developing world is water related. Lack of access to clean water the #1 global risk based on impact to society.)
In the Stranger. The UN estimates 68.5 million people are forcibly displaced, more than live in the UK. Others who may be considered ‘strangers’ in our community could include runaways, castoffs, exploited, abused, addicts, mentally ill, somehow not acceptable to most people, strangers.
In the Unclothed. (Clothing is protection. We take it for granted.)
In the Sick. A friend suffering from cancer said recently that she felt all alone in her struggle…but knowing others were praying for her made a difference. There are people in ICU wards, Chemo wards, Emergency Rooms, and waiting rooms. Hurting. Lonely. Scared.
In the Incarcerated (2.3 million people are imprisoned in our country. Organizations like Prison Fellowship sponsor Angel Tree to minister to these families.)
When did we see you, Jesus?
2. WHEN DID WE REFUSE? (MT 25:41-45)
This is the second surprise. We can imagine their shock! The group on the king’s left is completely identified with God’s enemies and so will suffer the consequence of having opposed him. Jesus is the one who gave his life for all, meeting deepest needs with an act of generosity that none deserve. They have not honored his gift. They have not followed his example. The answer to both of these groups was the same: What you did for the ‘least of these’, you’ve done for me.
3. WATCHING FOR JESUS
Look for Simple Ways to Help Hurting People. Doesn’t have to be a complicated/big ministry. Give a hungry person a meal / Give thirsty a drink. Brother Sean taught me to make sack lunches of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and find the homeless. Aaron Redding bought an old van and collected water and supplies in it and drove the streets of Little Rock.
Look for Ways to Extend Mercy. Our goal is mercy, not prosperity. The goal is to relieve suffering. If our eyes are open we will not have to look far.
Look for God to be at Work in our Efforts. Psalm 68:10 “….with a bountiful harvest, O God, you provided for your needy people..” When we help others, it is God’s work.
Look for Ways Your Family Can be Involved. Mercy is something that everyone can offer. Proverbs 14:31 “…Whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” (NIV)
Look for ways to love. The sheep were not expecting rewards for their behavior. It was the natural, instinctive, reaction of loving heart.
Look for ways to overcome your objections. We cannot know the genuineness of those we help, nor can we predict the results. We do want to be wise with our resources. When we help, we do our best, we hope and pray for the conversion of those we help.
Conclusion
We might think Christ will judge us based on our correct doctrine, faithful church attendance, or moral behavior.
But in our text Jesus offers a different standard: our response to the needy people of this world - the least of these.Today we are encouraged to continue to love the least of these, and to grow in our awareness and intention to love them more. When we serve them, we serve Jesus.
-The child who is trafficked and cannot escape.
-The handicapped and elderly who is lonely.
-The poor are often denied justice.
James 1:27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (NLT)
Jesus directed much of the attention of His ministry to people the world despises. So should we. One day I want to hear Jesus say that he was thirsty and I gave him water to drink.
Poem: Indifference
Indifference, by GA Studdert Kennedy (1883-1929)
When Jesus came to Golgotha, they hanged Him on a tree,
They drove great nails through hands and feet, and made a Calvary;
They crowned Him with a crown of thorns, red were His wounds and deep,
For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap.
When Jesus came to Birmingham, they simply passed Him by.
They would not hurt a hair of Him, they only let Him die;
For men had grown more tender, and they would not give Him pain,
They only just passed down the street, and left Him in the rain.
Still Jesus cried, ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do,’
And still it rained the winter rain
that drenched Him through and through;
The crowds went home and left the streets
without a soul to see,
And Jesus crouched against a wall,
and cried for Calvary.
LifeGroup Questions
1. What is a charity that is close to your heart that you feel is worthy of donations and support?
2. Jesus gives six examples of ways that the ‘sheep’ had ministered to him. If you had to choose one, which one
makes you most uncomfortable… you find it difficult to try to minister to them? What are some of the
concerns /fears/obstacles you may have about reaching out to the poor, hungry, hurting, ill, and incarcerated?
3. What do these proverbs teach us about poverty/wealth? Proverbs 19:1, 22; 28:6
4. Do you have any boundaries or suggestions for boundaries when it comes to serving the ‘least of these’?
5. What would you say were the mistakes of the ‘goats’?
6. What are some of the outreaches that our church participates in? If you have been part of some of those, what has been your experience in that?
7. What is something you wish our church would be more involved with that would serve our community?
8. Consider and Respond to this statement from Neil Lightfoot: “God, the Almighty One, does not need any one of us. Because He is God, He does not need a single thing that we might give Him… The only way we can do anything for God is to do something for His children.” (Lessons from The Parables)
9. For personal reflection later, read the following story found in William Barclay’s commentary. Consider the question: What might Jesus say we have given to him?
Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier and a Christian. One cold winter day, as he was entering a city, a beggar stopped him and asked for alms. Martin had no money; but the beggar was blue and shivering with cold, and Martin gave what he had. He took off his soldier's coat, worn and frayed as it was; he cut it in two and gave half of it to the beggar man. That night he had a dream. In it he saw the heavenly places and all the angels and Jesus in the midst of them; and Jesus was wearing half of a Roman soldier's cloak. One of the angels said to him, "Master, why are you wearing that battered old cloak? Who gave it to you?" And Jesus answered softly, "My servant Martin gave it to me."
Resources
Charities that Fight Hunger
https://www.thespruceeats.com/charities-that-fight-hunger-1666012
World Hunger Levels Rise For Third Year Running
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-un-hunger/world-hunger-levels-rise-for-third-year-running-u-n-idUSKCN1LS0J5
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
https://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends2017/
Amnesty International
https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/refugees-asylum-seekers-and-migrants/global-refugee-crisis-statistics-and-facts/
Prison Fellowship
www.prisonfellowship.org
Prison Policy
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2019.html
Charity Water
https://www.charitywater.org
