Scripture Nugget 3.4.2017 (3.13.2017)
Scripture Read Matthew 23-25
Nugget Matthew 25:34-45
“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
Devotional thought: 25+2+1=28 is the formula I have developed to explain mission and ministry for individuals and congregations. In Matthew 25 we find the actions and attitude Jesus expects of us. In Acts 2:41-47 describes the foundation of the ideal congregational life. Acts 1:8 reminds us in whose power and where we can accomplish the acts of grace we read today in Matthew 25. Matthew 28: 18-20 tells us to go, teach, proclaim and baptize others. The question for myself and for all believers this day, as we continue the Lenten journey, is our life in balance with what God desires for us or are we outside the lines?