It would be entirely possible to hear today’s gospel and to experience it as all law.  In other words, you’d better take care of the least of these, or else!  However, when we take the time to really pay attention to this parable, it contains a surprising amount of good news.

         For those who first heard the gospel of Matthew, at least part of the good news would have been that Jesus is with them in their suffering.  Many of those early Christians were hungry and thirsty, sick, imprisoned, or naked.  We know this because of Paul.  When the apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians, he mentions how he had been imprisoned and flogged, “hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked” (2 Cor. 11:23, 27).  He also relied at times on the kindness of strangers.

         It was no different for others at that time who followed Jesus.  And so, for them to hear that Jesus identified with them so much that those who mistreated them were mistreating Jesus – that news would have been a comfort in their trials.  In fact, even today, this parable is good news for all those who are among the least of these:  People like the homeless man in the skit, and all those who are in need.  For Jesus is there with them and in them, and those who minister to them are ministering to Jesus.

         Another piece of the good news is this:  Both the sheep and the goats had no idea what they were doing. [show picture]  Now this picture is quite the opposite.  We have the sheep saying “I fed the hungry,” and the goat saying “Whatever!”  It is actually highly unlikely that a scene like this would happen, because neither of them consciously did or did not do anything. In fact, both of them just did what comes naturally.

         In the case of those who are identified as sheep, they did what comes naturally because of their relationship with God.  They had no idea that all of those people they were serving were actually Jesus in disguise.  They also were not doing these things in order to get a reward.  In fact, it is clear that they do not earn what they are given, as it is described as an inheritance (Mt. 25:34).

         As for those who are identified as goats, they also simply did what comes naturally.  In their case, they lack a relationship with God, and so they do whatever is self-serving and in their own self-interest.  They also, in the end, have no idea that they were ignoring the suffering of Jesus.  They are kind of like the guy from the law firm in the skit.

         However, as at least one pastor has observed, some days we’re the sheep and some days we’re the goats (RevGalBlogPals).  Some days we are able to minister to those who are in need, and other days, we see the need, and either can’t or don’t do anything.  And perhaps we could add that sometimes we might also be among the least of these – those who are in need and benefit from the ministry of others.

         In the midst of all of this, however, there is even more good news, for another piece of the good news is to be found in the identity of the judge.  The one who is king and judge and seated on the throne of glory is also the suffering servant.  The one who judges the nations is also the one who loves us.

         The apostle Paul puts it like this in Romans where he writes about God’s love for us through Jesus:

Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who is to condemn? [Is it] Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us?  Who will separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom. 8:33-35)

And of course, Paul’s answer to this is nothing and no one. Absolutely nothing can "separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39).  This is true for all those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.  For those who trust Jesus, the judgment is not to be feared.

         In fact, the simple fact that there is a judgment day is good news for all those who are victims of injustice and evil, and all those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (WorkingPreacher.org).  God cares about injustice and the ways in which the needs of others are so often ignored, and God will put things right in the end.

         And so, as people of God who have put our trust in Jesus, let us continue to do what comes naturally. Feed the hungry.  Give drink to the thirsty.  Clothe the naked. Visit those who are sick or in prison.  Welcome the stranger.  For Jesus continues to be among us and in us, just as Jesus is in and with all those who are in need.  This is indeed good news, for Christ is with us until that time when Jesus comes again.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Lent 5 (NL 1)                                    Matthew 25:31-46

April 7, 2019

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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