Matthew 25:31-46
Be still: Speak peace into my heart and mind, dear Lord, and grant me assurance of salvation. Amen
Read: Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (v32-33)
Encounter: 'It's unfair!' Is there anyone, ever, who hasn't spoken that at least once? (If not hundreds of times.)
Built into every child of the Creator is a desire for things to be fair, impartial, just. Why? Because we have been made in the image of God and fundamental to the nature of Almighty God is – justice.
Throughout the Old Testament God is revealed as Justice and (thankfully) Mercy. That's his nature - to be just, to deliver justice, to require justice. When the people of Israel began to behave unjustly, he sent prophet Amos to shout at them:
'Let justice roll on like a river!' (Amos 5:24)
God's justice was never all about punishment - it was restoration of what was broken. And supremely, in the New Testament, Justice and Mercy are reconciled in Jesus on the Cross.
In 1945 the International Court of Justice was founded in The Hague, a significant attempt to impart justice across the world. Something every right-minded person would like to see. Sadly, and inevitably, its success was and is variable.
But one glorious and, for some, terrifying day, the International Court of Justice will be eclipsed as a candle is by the sun, when Jesus, as Judge, sets up his Global Court of Justice.
'The sheep and the goats' parable is frightening. It's scared me sometimes when I've thought: 'Oh, have I done enough 'justice' works to be a sheep rather than a goat?
Then I read:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
and again
Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in him as personal Lord and Saviour].
Romans 8:1 Amplified Bible.
Apply: Be assured – you are saved by faith in Jesus. Your purpose – to live out this good news.
Devote: Through your Spirit, Lord, may I live a life of love that reflects your heart for justice and mercy.