LESSON 5
Matthew 25:1-46
“As you did to one of the least of these, you did to me…”
Are you confused?
*If you were a little overwhelmed by that passage, it’s okay. A lot of people are, but the message here is not meant to be confusing. God has a simple and powerful message for us once we understand the true meaning of this passage.
PRO TIP: Anytime you feel overwhelmed by a passage, ask God to help you, break it down slowly, and if you still have questions, don’t be afraid to ask.
This passage can be broken into three parts, the first two are fictitious stories indicated by the simple word “like.” The first is about a wedding, the second is about a businessman and his employees, and the final part is a prophecy about the final judgment of God on earth.
(Let’s start with the two stories first.)
Imagine a girl engaged, waiting daily to hear that the love of her life is on the way to get her. She never really knew when, (there was no text messages.) She had to be ready! Upon his arrival the celebration would begin. This is the story Jesus is telling in Matthew 25:1-13. As the time drew near the bride would wait, dressed for the occasion, anxious and nervous, constantly wondering if today would be the day! If you were to face Christ right now, what would you have done differently today?
1Thessalonians 5:2
“The Lord will come like a thief in the night…”
This first story is comparing five friends who were prepared and ready, and five who were not. Jesus is saying to his listeners, you need to be ready because you do not know how much time you have. Don’t get left out because you were not prepared.
The second story answers the questions that everyone was asking after the first one, “How do I get prepared?” Jesus tells the story about three servants who were left different amounts of talents. (A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years’ wages for a laborer) The message here is still about “time,” more specifically, the use of our time. Jesus is asking what will you accomplish for me in however much time you have left? If you have 100 years, 40 years, or 20 years. None of us know how much time we have, what we do know as Christ followers, is that one day we will stand before Christ to give an account for the things we have done for Him with the time and gifts He has given us.
Hebrews 9:27
“As it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgement.”
Ephesians 5:16
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Matthew 6:19-20
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…”
Jesus says in story one, “Your time is short be prepared.” He follows it up with, “Use your time for me and don’t waste it.” But how do we use our time for Him?
The last part of this passage can be scary and confusing but start with what we know and assume the obvious.
- Nations are not individuals vs. 32
- Goats and Sheep are similar but different
- Not every church, pastor, professing christian is a Christian
- The groups are mixed together
- God is not fooled, He knows His sheep
- One day, we will know who was right and who was wrong, but there is a way to judge ourselves.
Matthew 25:45
“You did not do it to one of the least of these…”
It is easy to love the lovely, but how are we doing with the least of these? God has given you some time, what are you going to do with it? The real testament to those who are following Christ, is what they do for those who are the “least of these.”
Brock's Thoughts 
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