A little over two hundred years ago, Thomas Jefferson took a pair of scissors to the four gospels and cut out all the verses that contained angels, prophecy, references to Jesus’ divinity and all the miracles, including the virgin birth and the Resurrection—then he pasted together what was left. It became known and published as “The Jefferson Bible.”
His “Bible” ends with these words: “Now, in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus. And rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.” – No resurrection. No eternal life. No hope.
Read Matthew 25:31-46
Click here to review session two of the study guide
CONTEXT: Jesus, at the end of his ministry, started teaching extensively about those events that will bring to an end the world as we know it. He warned us of signs that would tell us that the unpredictable end was near. He warned us to be ready for that day, with the parable of the 10 virgins, and the parable of the talents. But then he shifts from telling parables. In this passage - Matthew 25:31-46 - some refer to it as “the parable of the sheep and the goats.” But it really is not a parable. Instead, it is a sketch of the judgment which comes with Christ’s return. The sheep and the goats are metaphors for the righteous and the wicked. But the rest seems to be a true description rather than a parable. Even though the big picture is clear, there are two very surprising elements to see in this passage.
1. WE ARE JUDGED BY OUR WALK, NOT OUR TALK – But this does not mean that we are saved by doing good works. Salvation is “by grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8), and “not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). So how can we be saved by grace, but judged by works?
It is as simple as this: At the final judgment, the only thing that will really matter is our relationship with Jesus. And our relationship is based on our walk with Him not our talk about Him. How we live our lives reveals what we really believe about Jesus.
2. WHAT WE DO TO “THE LEAST,” WE DO TO JESUS - Jesus takes it personally when we do or do not serve His least – just like we take it personally when people treat well or mistreat our own children. So, who are the least? Jesus describes them in six ways. They are:
- The hungry
- The thirsty
- The stranger
- Those without clothing
- The sick
- The imprisoned
These are all examples of the least. They are people who live on the edge of survival. They are people who go unnoticed. They are powerless. They don’t have status. They can’t do anything for us. They are outsiders.
Here is the ironic thing. We go to church to find and serve God. But Jesus tells us that God is outside. To move outwards is to move towards God. God is always with the outsiders – the least.
Take Action
Think of one or two passages found in the Bible that you would rather skip over and leave behind. Reflect on reasons why you might be resistant to these passages and write those reasons down. Next, copy each passage onto separate note cards. Place them in areas that you will look at often (car dashboard, TV, purse, front door, bathroom mirror, dinner table). This week, be intentional in doing what you have been resisting. Maybe you need to love someone who is your enemy, or do something nice for someone who has hurt you, or let go of finances that you hold onto tightly. Do not engage in these acts to be seen or praised but only in obedience to God and to glorify His name. Write down your reflections throughout the week as you follow God’s lead.
Scripture for Further Study
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