Matthew 25:31-46 The Empty Chair " -- for the least, the lost, the lonely, the leper, the "other"?
1. This week we will celebrate Thanksgiving
• Thanksgiving is the day we set aside nationally to remind us to say "thanks" for the bounties God has heaped upon our lives.
• Why don’t we consider every Sunday or every day as a Day of thanksgiving
• On Sundays we celebrate, Resurrection for the greatest of events the open tomb, testifying to us the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Every Sunday is Thanksgiving Sunday. Every Sunday dinner is Thanksgiving dinner.
2. Sunday Dinner used to be a really Big Deal.
• Sundays the family spent the day together--first at church, then at home, then with relatives.
• Sunday dinner every family had its own Sunday dinner traditions: fried chicken, pot roast, plates of pasta, etc.
3. Sunday Dinner and the chair that was empty was a tradition in many homes
• In the West Virginia hills, that empty chair set there as a reminder that no matter how many were already present, there is room for one more. The Empty Chair meant there was an extra plate and extra portion for an unexpected visitor.
• The tradition of the empty chair is also a fixture Jewish thanksgiving Feast of the Passover Seder. An empty chair set at the Seder table and the front door left slightly open, symbolically welcomed Elijah to join in the feast.
4. Once again our text is about the coming of the son of man, Messiah, the Christ Jesus
• In verse 31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him
• 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people
• At this time God determines where one will spend eternity either eternal punishment or eternal life
5. What does the empty chair say to the least, the lost, the lonely, the leper, the other.
• The empty chair says to those hungry set here, I can feed you give you a bite to eat.
• The empty chair says to the thirsty I have a bottle of water for you here drink.
• The empty chair says here some clothes that you can wear. Here is a coat
• The empty chair speaks to the sick set down while I get some medicine, I will set with you
• The empty chair says to the prisoned ones I won’t condemn you, I’ll hire you I will give you a second chance. You matter I will visit you
• The empty chair was set out for those who were least, the lost , the lonely, the leper, the other
• Jesus will say to you who have set out the empty chair 40"The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
6. Many folks have not set out an empty chair, that means more than likely one is unconcerned
• Most have no chair for the hungry no left overs , There is no chair for the thirsty
• There is no chair for the ones who needed clothing, no medicine, no visitation, no extra portions of anything,
• For Many “this thanksgiving will be another great disappointment, for the lucky they will get something from a church as a carry out . At the church Food is good, spirit is welcoming, but it’s really not the Thanksgiving one dreams about. Later there will be no leftovers, no goodies to nibble on, no family to talk with, no feeling of safety, no empty chair
• Where there is no Empty Chair there is No concern for the least, the lost, the lonely, the leper, the other. No love to give, no bounty to share, no fellowship to extend.
• Jesus shares that the folks whose heart is shut to the other. He says; Depart from me you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
