I wonder if you’ve ever been thanked for doing something you can’t actually recall doing? Maybe you took a meal to them a long time ago, or sent a card, or maybe you smiled and had a conversation with someone who needed it! Needless to say, it’s always surprising when this happens as it does occasionally. As we return to Matthew, the people in this passage are surprised. Jesus has been telling them that they were able to enter into the kingdom and their good works towards him was a testament to that fact. In recognition with their already right place with God, Jesus refers to them as ‘the righteous’. Now they reply saying things along the lines of, “Jesus, when did all this happen? We don’t recall clothing you, feeding you, or visiting you in prison.” The answer is that whatever they did for the least of people, they did for Jesus. When Jesus was on earth, he didn’t live the life of a rockstar but he had no real home, no pillow, and not much in the way of possessions. He also hung out with people who were poor and destitute. He knows what it is like to be hungry and to be thirsty and so whatever we do for people in need, we do it for him.

The surprise of the people is worth noting. If you were really working hard to be selected in the Australian cricket team, you would work on your drills, fitness, accuracy, and much more for a long time. When you are selected you shouldn’t be overly surprised because you put all that hard work in! The righteous are surprised because they weren’t doing good works in order to earn themselves a way into the kingdom, but as a response to being made right with God by his grace. The same goes for us. Our good works come from us following the way of Jesus. Bearing fruit therefore is the result of the Spirit, not out of an intention of earning us a place. We have already been granted a place and so our lives should reflect the way God has dealt with us with compassion and grace. MC

Questions

What has been the role of good works and helping the needy in your walk with God? As a result of his mercy, does this need realigning?

Prayer

Loving Lord, thank you for the example of Jesus and your compassion and mercy poured out for us upon the cross. Help us to follow him and imitate him as Lord and King over our lives. In his name we pray, Amen.