What2Say2Day? I'm preparing for this week's lesson for our Youth group at church and the scripture is from Matthew 25:31-46. This passage is filled with many lessons, and is most times cut into little parts to send those messages as separate themes. I've just gotten through reading one reflection that suggests this passage as an entire teaching moment about what it will be like when Jesus returns, changing the theme of Matthew from the Kingdom of God to the Reign of Christ. Christians believe that Christ and God are one and the same, therefore this "change" is not one that suggests a changing of our God, but rather one that brings a new understanding of our God. God never changes, God is who God is through time eternal. It is our understanding of God that changes as God chooses to reveal parts of God's mystery to us. With this new found vision I re-read the passage and discovered so much. I ask you to re-read it with these questions in mind.
1) Who is Jesus associating the sheep and the goats with?
2) Are we judged on sins such as sexual preference or drug abuse OR are we judged on what we do for those in need?
3) When Jesus comes to take his throne (which I want to argue is happening now) will you be with the shepherd or the goatherd?
This Sunday, the first day of the last week of the church's calendar year, pledge to find a way not to be the judge, but to live a life that will bring hope, peace and joy to those around you through love.
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Hey Randy,
ReplyDeleteI like your thoughts!
I'm glad I finally clicked on your blog.
This prompted me to go to the Gospel according to Matthew. Man, is it a big meal or what?
I never realized before today how this teaching is prefaced by the the talents and the virgins. Here's my take on this combination...
I guess I tend to equate "virgin" as "pure." You may lead a "pure" life and be unprepared for the Lord. Talents, every one has talents. The master calls the servant (yes, this person is referred to as a servant) as wicked and lazy (in NIV). The master is not comforting in this case and does not ease the servants fear, (in fact in much of the gospel, Jesus does not tolerate fearfulness).
Finally, sheep and goats, sorted. I don't think of sheep as being bold and tough like goats. Perhaps they are "weaker." I read the words "you did for me" and wrong or not, I feel it means that they performed as a representative of the King.
Bottomline: Just because we are purified doesn't make us useful. We must usher forth the talents we are given to represent the one who is our king. His representatives are doing the things that reflect our king, building His Kingdom.
-Wayne