WEEK 5 - REAWAKENING TO THE MISSION OF CHRIST
This week, we will look at some of the things Jesus has called us to do as we live on mission with Him in this world. He defines and assigns the mission we are to carry out. May we carry it out in obedience and dependence!
DAY THIRTY ONE - CARING FOR HURTING PEOPLE - CATHY SIGMUND
Matthew 25:31-46
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Our Father has entrusted us, His people, to care like Christ—especially for those who are hurting. At its essence, such caring is an act of worship to a loving Savior who embodies the heart of our loving Father. We too embody His heart to care like Christ—He who is love is in us and seeks to love through us ( John 17:21–26). Caring like Christ is not just a good idea, it is a heart directive for those who are His.
Matthew 25:31–46 describes the return of Christ and the final judgment. King Jesus, the enthroned Lamb of God (John 1:29; Rev. 5:6, 6:16, 12:11), separates those who bear His heart likeness, the sheep on His right, from those who do not, the goats on the left. The difference between the two groups is their hearts and how they cared.
Christ’s people care like He cares. Moving in His incarnational presence, we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick, come to those in prison, and minister in all sorts of other ways to the hurting. As He has loved us, we love them; as we love them, we love Him.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Ask the Lord to forgive you for missing opportunities to minister His love and kindness to those who are hurting.
2. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you eyes to see hurting people as He does and to refresh your heart to care like Him.
3. Ask God to empower you to glorify Him and to minister to hurting people.