Matthew 24:24-25
Reflect
Jesus’ teaching on the final judgement at the end of Matthew 25 is shocking! The division of the “sheep” and the “goats” is radical, the dividing factor being how they have treated people in need. It is interesting to note that both groups did not realize that what they did, or failed to do, was to the Lord Himself.
It could seem like we are judged by works, but that is not the lesson of this passage. I believe the lesson is that the disciple of Christ meets the needs of those around them out of their commitment to Him, and the Kingdom. In God’s Kingdom no one should be hungry, naked, sick or alone. We as His followers should be moved by the needs around us, and not be motivated by thoughts of reward.
Skye Jethani says that “Jesus’ lesson is critically important – love is determined by our identity, not the identity of the person we encounter…regardless of the other person’s identity, when determined whom to love, we ought to focus on a different question: what kind of person has Christ called me to be?”
Apply
Out of my abundant life, may I be generous today with my words, wealth, presence and prayers.
Pastor Jerilyn
Pray
- Pray through the prayer section in our program.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth and Worship Pastor and Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Associate.
- Pray for Karen Alksne, our Congregational Life Ministry Associate.
- Pray for our Hospitality Coordinator, Irene Dickau.
- Pray for our office staff: Vicky Bailey, Naomi Voss; bookkeeper Liudmyla Lushchyk.