SCRIPTURE BY Janice Hall
Lesson Text: Matthew 25: 31-46
Related Scriptures: Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Daniel 7:9-14; Matthew 16:24-28; I John 4:7-14
These passages in Matthew 25: 31-46 describe Jesus’ judgement to take place when He returns as King, with His angels and His place on the throne. The two groups will be sheep and goats. The sheep will be welcomed and praised for serving the needy. The goats will be sent away and condemned for not serving.
Deuteronomy chapter 15, outlined the way in which the Israelites were to live their lives as worship to God. They were to open their hearts and hands to those in need, providing whatever they lacked, thus the command to be generous to the poor.
Daniel 7:9-14 shows the interpretation of the vision at the request of Daniel and speaks of the Ancient of Days and the scene surrounding his throne. The passages describes the transition from human dominion on earth to divine dominion.
Matthew 16:24-28 portrays Jesus as a self denial, a must sacrifice of self, if one would choose to walk after Him. We are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. We are not our own, and we have been bought with a High Price. In 1 John 4:7-14, reminds us the evidence of God’s presence and work is love. We love one another because we are loved by God, and have received that love, and live in light of it.
SYNOPSIS BY Charlene Brown
Today’s lesson takes place on the Mount of Olives. The setting is a private conversation between Jesus and His disciples concerning the signs of the times and the end of the age. As recorded in the scripture, “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3).
In the lesson we are introduced to a parable, (an earthy story with a heavenly message) of the sheep and goat. This identifies sheep as those who are counted righteous of God, those who are in right standing with Him, and the goat, those of whom are not. We have a clear picture of God sorting the righteous from the unrighteous. We have a scene of a Shepherd sorting these two animals based on their characteristics. The sheep are known to be submissive and gentle animals while on the other hand goats are known for their unruly and offensive nature.
Jesus puts a charge to His disciples to be righteous (to be sheep). We are called to love and serve others in response to the love and service that has been offered to us by Him. It is our responsibility to feed the hungry, offer drinks to those who are thirsty, take in those who are strangers, clothe those who are naked, visit the sick and those who are in prison. If we do what is required of us, scripture makes it clear that there is a reward, we will have the privilege to enter into the kingdom of God. “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).
