REFLECTION On his throne of glory in the gospel of this week, Jesus Christ, called King by all, would think only of the poor. NIV “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”, NLT “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!’”, ESV “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”, KJV “And the King shall answer and say unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. He would particularly ask did we at our judgement look after ‘the weak, the stray, the wounded and the lost’ (First Reading 34:11-12.15-17). Serving those who are of worldly importance, especially those who can return the favor (Lk 14:12), is not wrong, but the motive for such service could always be in question, especially if the kind of service that Jesus is describing never occurs. (Matthew 25:40) Reflection. Today Jesus is talking with his disciples about the time when the Son of Man will come in glory. "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me" (Matt 25:40b). Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren. Matthew 25:40 “The King will answer, ‘Truly I say to you, as you have done it for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you have done it for Me.’ Yesterday was a day of reflection for me in a different kind of way as I pondered the many people who did not even have a place to stay nor food to eat and it was Christmas. Either we are all one in mind, body and soul or we are not. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. #2 “whatever you did…” Jesus said of the sheep, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Mt 25:35-36). In the parable of the sheep and the goats, neither the sheep nor the goats expected the response of the master. I am glad it’s so easy and clearcut for St. Matthew. Here is an exceptional short video breaking down the book of Matthew, which included Matthew 25. The most important aspect of his judgment will be the opening of the Book of Life. Matthew 25:31. Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King – Matthew 25:31-46 “Whatsoever…” (2006) by Timothy P. Schmalz. My brethren - Either those who are Christians, whom he condescends to call brethren, or those who are afflicted, poor, and persecuted, who are his brethren and companions in suffering, and who suffer as he did on earth. Reflection on Matthew 25:31-46 ~ The virtue of righteousness is clear; either you are right, or you are wrong. This is why the majority of scholars past and present have understood Jesus to be saying in Matthew 25:40 that real Christians are revealed as such by their benevolent care for fellow Christians in need. If we would see him and serve him, we must see and serve our fellow man. These words of Scripture have surely experienced their share of analysis and proclamation over time. verily I say unto you; a way of speaking often used by him, when here on earth, when he, in the strongest manner, would asseverate anything as truth, and remove all doubt and hesitation about it. Unto one of the least of these my brethren. #5 “you did for me.” Once again, the invisible God makes himself present in his created beings. He would care also for … Today Father Rob Johnson offers us a reflection on Matthew 25:40. How great is the condescension and kindness of the Judge of the world, thus to reward our actions, and to consider what we have done to the poor as done to him! But beyond that, we must see and serve “the least of these” because in this we can better know that our service is rendered to God for love of him and for his glory. We love and worship an invisible God. He has no questions. The goats, the unbelievers failed to do the very same. Jesus began his public ministry in this Gospel with a lengthy discourse that we call the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), and he closes This principle is the basis of Christian charity, as of all Christian morality. In Matthew 25, Jesus calls us to feed those who are hungry. To love him and serve him requires loving and serving his people, especially “the least of these.”. So when a lawyer asks Jesus to weigh in on the question, “Which commandment in the law is the greatest” (Matthew 22:36), he might be asking Jesus to pick sides in an already contentious debate. ... Five powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results. The following is a reflection on Matthew 25:31-46, the Gospel lesson appointed for November 20th, 2011, Christ the King Sunday, Year A according to the New Revised Common Lectionary.On this site there is also • a reflection on the Psalm for the same day.. Jesus talks about salvation in different contexts to different audiences and in different ways throughout the Gospels. He has forbidden us to make an image of himself, but he has put his image into mankind. "And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'" So Rev., even these least. But there is a sense that he also means nonbelievers who are in need as well. Matthew 25:1-46. #3 “…for one of the least of these…” There are few who will not help a great or important person if given the chance. For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat. Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. #1 “The King will reply, truly I tell you,” The King is Jesus at the judgment “in his glory…on his glorious throne” (Mt 25:31). The word in the Greek order is emphatic: One of these my brethren, the least. A little reflection will suggest the most logical reasons why such a thing as hell is not only just and reasonable but also actually necessary. A friend of mine once worked in a toy factory in Burlington, New Jersey, during the summers when she was in college. No industrial concern ever operated without some means of waste disposal, and no well-managed kitchen ever existed without a garbage pail or its equivalent. Verse – Matthew 25:40. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. Matthew 25:40's Mission is to provide assistance with as many people and families as we can that are facing a crisis that effects feeding their families, paying bills, and becoming in danger of homelessness. Matthew 25:40. As each child finds the verse, have them stick one finger on the verse and quietly raise their other hand. The sheep are surprised that they were serving Christ by serving the least of these. When you say go, have the kids look up this week’s Bible verse. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. Either you believe Jesus Christ means we must treat others as we treat ourselves or bluntly said, you are selfish. Despite the difficult circumstances it is a beautiful time to live the Gospel. Yet Jesus plunges into a new area of insight by answering not only which commandment is the greatest, but how people might go about fulfilling it. Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me. The goal here would be to do all things and render all service to all people for the glory of God and the sake of the Gospel. He continues to draw these lines and has no doubt about who is on which side. Reflecting on the meaning of Matthew 25, join us in prayer. #4 “…brothers and sisters of mine,” It seems he primarily means Christians. He is telling them that everyone on earth will be gathered together and He will separate the peoples, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me: which is to be understood, not in so limited a sense, as to regard only the apostles, and the least of them, for these were not the only brethren of Christ; nor in so large a sense, as to include all in human nature; but the saints only, the children of God, and household of faith: for though acts of charity and humanity are to be done to all men, yet especially to these; and indeed, these only can be considered as the brethren of Christ, who are born of God, and do the will of Christ; for such he accounts his mother, brethren, and sisters; and who are not only of the same human nature, but in the same covenant with him, and the sons of God, not by nature, as he is the Son of God, but by adoption, and so are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ: now he that does any of the above acts of kindness to these "brethren" of Christ, and because they stand in such a relation to him, even the "least" of them: though he is not an apostle, or a martyr, or a preacher of the Gospel, or has any considerable gifts and abilities for usefulness, but is a weak believer in spiritual things, as well as poor in temporal things; and though it is but to "one" of these opportunity and circumstances not allowing it to be done to more; yet as such is the humility and condescension of this great king, as to account such mean persons his brethren; such also is his grace and goodness, as to reckon every instance of kindness and respect shown to them, as done to himself in person; and will take notice of it, accept and reward it, as if it had been so done. THE CONTEXT Chapters 23-25 are Jesus' final discourse (lengthy speech or teaching) in this Gospel. I was surprised to learn this text (Matt 25:31-46) is the Gospel passage for all three years of the Revised Common Lectionary on New Year's Day. The Parable of the Ten Virgins. Reflection: Matthew 25:31-46 Monday of the First Week of Lent –Matthew 25:31-46. There is nothing in the Bible that would suggest that it is possible to separate love for God from love for people. See Hebrews 2:11; Matthew 12:50. What is the organization aiming to accomplish? But the humble will stoop for those who cannot return the favor (Lk 14:12). Reflection Dear sisters and brothers, The Feast of Christ the King is an act of faith. 1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Unto one of these least (or, these the least’) of my brethren, ye did it unto me. Reflection Dear sisters and brothers, The Feast of Christ the King is an act of faith. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, &c.. And the King shall answer and say unto them, &c. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. St. John says that you are a liar if you say you love God and you don’t love your neighbor. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Matthew 25:1-13 EXEGESIS: MATTHEW 23-25. The sheep will have their names written there (Rev 20:12). We love and worship an invisible God. Prayer for food for the hungry. The goats will not. We are certainly taught that God sends the sun and rain on the wicked as well as the good and that we should be like our Father in Heaven, even blessing our enemies (Mt 5:44). > In the context of the parable the least of these refers to those who are most needy among Jesus’ brothers—a reference most likely to Jesus’ disciples and by extension all believers. Matthew 25:31-46: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. Matthew 25:34-40 When we show pity, compassion, and kindness to those in difficult straits, we are practicing the merciful attitude that God expects each of His children to exhibit at all times. Jesus dwells by his Holy Spirit in the human temple of the Church (1 Cor 3:16). Pass out Bibles to students. Rather than see what follows as a kind of salvation by works, one should understand that true believers will live their lives in Christ and unto him. '”, NKJV “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”, Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 16 Pros and Cons of the Zero Tolerance Policy in Schools, 30 Strong Bible Scriptures on Self-Control, Husbands Submit to Your Wives Meaning and Meditation, Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness Meaning and Meditation, 25 Powerful Prayers for a Good Night’s Sleep, Give No Place to the Devil Meaning and Meditation, 10 Powerful Prayers for Selling Your Home, Be Not Drunk with Wine Meaning and Meditation, Even a Child Is Known by His Doings Meaning and Meditation. When, &c. — The same great truth, that there is no such thing as negative goodness, which was shown, 1st, in the parable of the virgins; 2d, in the still plainer parable of the servants who had received the talents; is here shown a third time, in a direct unparabolical declaration of the manner in which our Lord will proceed at the last day. Explanation and Commentary of Matthew 25:40 There is nothing in the Bible that would suggest that it is possible to separate love for God from love for people. HENRY ALFORD (1810-1871) The New Testament for English Readers Matthew Commentary. ~ Matthew 25:40 (full readings) Rich's Reflections: In today's Gospel, Jesus gave a preview of Judgement Day. They are known as Christ’s disciples by their love for one another. Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Matthew 25 31-46 Date: December 28, 2018 Author: HAT 0 Comments The text we ( and others ) are studying for Sunday, December 30 is Matthew 25:31-46 , “the judgment of the nations” or “the sheep and the goats.” 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbor whom you see, whom you touch, with whom you live? the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, οὐδὲ Ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε.