SCRIPTURE: Matthew 25
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ [Matthew 25:40] Though it seems as if there is no one Ruler of this planet, and though it seems as if we are on our own to do what we want, how we want, Jesus teaches us here that this planet is ruled by God through His appointed King (the messiah) and one day we will have to give an account for how we lived.
The King is coming one day to evaluate how we lived, will we be ready? The King has entrusted “gifts” to us, and how we used these resources for Him will be reviewed. The King is with us incognito, hidden among us in the poor and needy, and He sees how we respond to them, to Him.
As King, He gets to decide how this world (His kingdom) ought to run. His will for this world is that it be run on principles of justice, mercy, grace, kindness, generosity, etc. He has given His Spirit to help us live this way. There is no excuse.
We must decide how we will live. There is no way around it. Even if we refuse to choose, we have chosen. To not live according to the will and way of the King is to choose to live against Him and His kingdom. There is no middle ground.
Please note, we are not accepted because we have done good things. We are already accepted. We have already been blessed with His “gifts”. The question is, how do we respond to God’s grace, God’s generosity? In the final judgment, we are judged for how we responded to the King (“you were doing it to me”). We reveal whether we love the King Who loves us, by how we respond to Him.
How can I love the King today?
PRAYER:
Lord, You are with me today, in the people I meet. Open my eyes to see them, and to see You in them. I want to love You through them.
LORD God, may I be found ready when Jesus comes again. May I be found to have been wise and responsible with all that You have entrusted me with.
LORD, only I am responsible for my actions, for my response to Your perfect plans and purposes for my life. I can blame no but myself if I am left in the ‘dark’ or if I do not grow into my full potential in Christ.
LORD, thank You for the gift of Your ‘Spiritual oil’ in the ‘lamp’ of my heart. May I intentionally seek You with each new day so that You may fill up my heart. Thank You LORD that if I am willing, I will never run out of the oil of Your Spirit.
LORD, in my life, be glorified…..
As a family, upon leaving for a vacation, one basic question asked to all the members was Are you ready? That meant, are you prepared for the journey. do you have all what you need because we will not come back for anything. Our children learned quick. So did I.
The reading today also asks if I am ready. How I live my life for Christ will determine my journey. Do I live for Jesus each day? Do I go forward in His power in all I do and say? Am I ready? When Luther was asked what he would be doing upon Christ’s return, he said he would be working. is all I do and say, my daily living for Jesus? What kind of epistle am I by what I do and say. What will be written on my epitaph? We are known by what we say and what we do. Our actions give us away if what is most important in our lives. As the vineyard workers received their wages for the gifts received what do do my wages show about the Christ Who I am serving?
On my journey of learning and living in Your presence Lord, continue to be my Guardian and Guide and Encourager along the Way so that each day is a day of joy in Your Sonshine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.