Love God and Serve Others

December 30, 2018 Background Scripture: Matthew 25:31 – 46 Lesson Passage: Matthew 25:31 – 46 Today’s lesson describes what is sometimes referred to as the judgement of the nations. Premillennialists are those who believe that we currently live at a time prior to the Millennium when Jesus sets up an earthly kingdom and rules in the earth. For those who label themselves as premillennialists, it is believed that the judgement in our lesson text takes place after the Great Tribulation and at the onset of the establishment of Jesus’ earthly kingdom. Jesus’ earthly kingdom is described in the book of Revelation as lasting for one thousand years. With the holy war ended and Jesus triumphant, the nations of the world would then be brought before the throne of Jesus to be judged. It should be kept in mind that the church is raptured out of the world before the tribulation period begins. Without the worldwide evangelistic work of the Church during the time of tribulation, the only ones offering salvation to the world will be a few faithful witnesses that God will send but the world will reject. Meanwhile, God has committed the final judgement of the world to Jesus—the only wise Potentate. The age of grace would have been long passed and men would only have their deeds to depend on to justify them in the divine judgement. Jesus, the righteous Judge, will separate the righteous within the nations from the evil. Jesus will then sentence the evil to eternal damnation and the righteous he will welcome into his kingdom. When questions are raised by either side, the response will be the same. Their judgement is meted out according to their treatment of the least among people: the hungry, the thirsty, the outcast, the naked, the sick, and the righteous who are imprisoned. Jesus identifies with the least among us. When the least are relieved of the burdens of life, Jesus takes it personal as his own relief. When the least, in their distress, are ignored and left uncared for, then Jesus is also ignored. Although we don’t believe this judgment pertains to the church, there is still much that we can learn from it. In spite of salvation by grace for the church, we still observe from this judgement that Jesus identifies with the least. Therefore, our worship of him should involve serving others. Likewise, our love of God can be demonstrated by how we treat the least among us since we know that Jesus readily identifies with them. As we serve people by ministering to their needs, Jesus says that our actions are directly affecting him. It should be comforting to us to know that every time we bring a measure of relief to the poor and afflicted, we are, in essence, meeting the needs of Jesus. Put another way, we cannot do anything for God, who is spirit, while at the same time ignoring the plight of the people around us. There are many who look down on and despise the poor in society. There are many who shun the sick and imprisoned. This would be consistent if they also denied the existence of God. But many dare to claim God as both their Lord and their Savior and yet fail to see Jesus’ identity as being intertwined with those whom they despise. If you love God, then serve people. Robert C. Hudson November 12, 2018