Ministry to All

Salem Bible Study
Teachings on Community

Matthew 25:31-40 (The Message)

The Sheep and the Goats

 ^31-33"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.  ^34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

   I was hungry and you fed me,
   I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
   I was homeless and you gave me a room,
   I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
   I was sick and you stopped to visit,
   I was in prison and you came to me.'
 ^37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.

For Reflection: Could it be that we are not just made in God's image, but also, God lives in us all?  It is so difficult to live our human existence with out the temptation of judging others.  Each of us is in need in one way or another.  Serving each other, believer or not, is serving God.  How are you your Master's servant?

Pray that we seek opportunities to minister to others and that we never fail to recognize and feed the Holy Spirit in all people.