Thursday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 25
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 creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “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!’
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 creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “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!’
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
25:34 King. The Son of Man upon his throne (v. 31) recalls the prophecy of Dan. 7:13–14, in which the Ancient of Days bestows the kingdom upon “one like a son of man.” blessed by my Father. The blessing to the “sheep” (Matt. 25:32) consists of their inheritance of the Father’s kingdom, given not as a reward for good works but because of their saving relationship with the Father and the Son.
25:40 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. The “sheep” are commended for their great compassion for those in need—for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger; for those who are naked, sick, or in prison. The righteous will inherit the kingdom not because of the compassionate works that they have done but because their righteousness comes from their transformed hearts in response to Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom, as evidenced by their compassion for the “least of these.” In caring for those in need, the righteous discover that their acts of compassion for the needy are the same as if done for Jesus himself (you did it to me).
25:40 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. The “sheep” are commended for their great compassion for those in need—for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger; for those who are naked, sick, or in prison. The righteous will inherit the kingdom not because of the compassionate works that they have done but because their righteousness comes from their transformed hearts in response to Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom, as evidenced by their compassion for the “least of these.” In caring for those in need, the righteous discover that their acts of compassion for the needy are the same as if done for Jesus himself (you did it to me).
Study Questions:
- A heart that is fully surrendered to Jesus will bear certain fruit. We will look and think more and more like Jesus as we grow and mature in him. Our hearts and motives will begin to change. We will live our lives as Jesus did... he came to serve, not be served. Our lives as Christians should be marked with compassionate hearts that break for people around us. And as compassionate people fill the church, so will it be compassionate. If you stood before God today to get a heart check, how would he rate your level of care and compassion for his children? Does your heart need to grow in this area? How do we go about this kind of growth?
- One thing we don't see in Scripture is how the church exists to entertain or inspire us. It's not meant to be a social event. This is where the church in America misses the point. We tend to think it's all about us and our preferences and our comfort and our needs getting met. Churches have become more and more entertaining which creates a bunch of spectators and consumers. However, as in any healthy relationship, our relationship with the church should be give and take. It should be consume, yes, but also contribute. People that only consume choke the cause of Christ, while contributors champion the cause of Christ. The consumer says it's all about ME, while contributors say it's all about HIM and THEM. Do you have a healthy relationship with the church, give AND take? Are you contributing your time, talent, money and energy for the glory of God? Have you ever experienced the true joy that's found when you pour yourself out for HIM and his church?
Pray:
That your life would bear Jesus fruit.
That you would have a healthy relationship with the church.
That you would have a healthy relationship with the church.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
No Comments