Today's Reading: St. Matthew 25:31-46
Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 30:1-24; St. Matthew 26:57-75
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.” (St. Matthew 25:34)
In the name of Jesus. Amen. As we ponder the end of all things on this second-last Sunday of the church year, St. Matthew presents our Lord Jesus coming again, this time in all of His glory, with all the angels, to sit on His glorious throne. In His first advent, Jesus came in a still, small way, missed by many. No one will miss His second advent.
King Jesus is coming in judgment. He’s coming to separate the sheep from the goats. Currently, in the visible church there are both. There are the righteous and the wicked, mixed together. Hypocrites can hide within the church. They can stand right next to you and confess the Creed and to you, they would appear as the most pious of Christians.
When Jesus comes, this wickedness will be exposed for all to see. What lies in the hearts of every human being will be made visible. There will be no more hypocrisy. This text should terrorize the unbeliever for sure, but what about you, child of God? Can you escape the words of Jesus in this text without feeling the shame of neglecting your brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need? Not even the most faithful Christian can!
Should you go out and do more good works? Yes! Is that enough to escape the shame of your sin and neglect of your fellow Christian? No! Jesus knows that! That’s why he invites you when He says, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inheritthe kingdom.” Baptized into Christ, you are an heir of salvation. St. Peter says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4). Come, dear child of God, inherit the kingdom. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
O Lord, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, being ever mindful of the end of all things and the day of Your just judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You forever hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the 2nd Last Sunday of the Church Year)