The Sheep and the Goats (Devotional on Matthew 25:31-46)

Summary

In this devotional, Wes McAdams emphasizes the importance of preparing for the second coming of Jesus by serving the 'least of these' — those in need. Drawing from Matthew 25:31-46, he teaches that acts of kindness toward the vulnerable are acts of service to Jesus himself. McAdams urges viewers to reflect on how they treat others, stressing that caring for the marginalized is a key part of being ready for the final judgment. The message concludes with a prayer asking for forgiveness and the ability to see and care for those in need, preparing for the coming of Christ.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesus' second coming will be a moment of separation between the righteous and the wicked.
• 😀 Being prepared for the final day is not just about waiting but actively living out Jesus' teachings.
• 😀 The 'least of these' refers to those who are marginalized or in need, and Jesus identifies with them.
• 😀 Serving the poor, hungry, thirsty, sick, and imprisoned is equated to serving Jesus Himself.
• 😀 The righteous are those who care for the least of these, even without expecting anything in return.
• 😀 Those who neglect the least of these will face judgment for failing to serve Christ through others.
• 😀 The call to serve others is a call to participate in the Kingdom of Forever, living in the present with eternity in mind.
• 😀 Jesus warns against complacency and encourages believers to actively care for the vulnerable and marginalized.
• 😀 The world may overlook the insignificant, but Jesus sees and values those who are ignored by society.
• 😀 True preparation for the final judgment involves living a life of service, love, and care for others.
• 😀 In serving others, we reflect the heart of Jesus and demonstrate our readiness for His return.

Q & A

What is the central theme of today's devotional?

The central theme of today's devotional is about being prepared for the second coming of Christ, which involves caring for the least of these—the vulnerable, marginalized, or those in need. Jesus teaches that true preparedness for His return is shown through acts of service to those who are overlooked by society.

What biblical passage is the focus of the devotional?

The devotional focuses on Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus describes the final judgment and the separation of the righteous (the sheep) and the unrighteous (the goats) based on how they cared for the least of these.

Who are the 'least of these' according to the devotional?

The 'least of these' refers to those who are considered vulnerable or insignificant by the world—such as the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, and strangers. Jesus identifies Himself with these people, and caring for them is equated with caring for Jesus Himself.

What does Jesus say about those who neglect to care for the least of these?

Jesus says that those who fail to care for the least of these will be cast into eternal punishment. Despite their lack of direct service to Him, their failure to care for others reveals a lack of preparation for the final judgment.

How does the devotional connect acts of service to spiritual preparedness?

The devotional emphasizes that spiritual preparedness for the second coming of Christ is not just about belief but about actively serving others, particularly the marginalized. Jesus teaches that acts of kindness toward the least of these are acts of preparation for the final day.

What is the difference between the righteous and the unrighteous in the final judgment?

In the final judgment, the righteous (represented by the sheep) are those who cared for the least of these, showing compassion and service. The unrighteous (represented by the goats) are those who ignored the needs of others, failing to recognize the importance of serving those in need.

What does Jesus' identification with the least of these signify?

Jesus’ identification with the least of these signifies that when we serve the poor, the vulnerable, or the marginalized, we are serving Christ Himself. Our treatment of others, especially those who can offer nothing in return, is a reflection of how we relate to Jesus.

Why does the devotional highlight the importance of recognizing those in need?

The devotional highlights the importance of recognizing those in need because ignoring them is seen as ignoring Christ. Serving others, particularly the marginalized, is a way of being spiritually prepared for the return of Jesus and the final judgment.

What lesson can be learned from the question the unrighteous ask, 'When did we see you hungry or thirsty?'

The question asked by the unrighteous reflects the misunderstanding that service to others must be explicitly directed to a powerful or recognized figure, like a king. Jesus teaches that service to the least of these is service to Him, and it is not always about doing something for a person with power or influence.

What is the call to action for the audience at the end of the devotional?

The call to action is for the audience to live today in light of the final day. This means being aware of and actively serving those in need around us, whether in our community or globally, in order to be spiritually prepared for the return of Christ.