Be a Disciple

Matthew 25:41-46 “Then the Son of Man will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
 
WE come now to the end of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. For a number of readings we have focused on about 10 minutes of conversation Jesus had with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, a very short distance east of Jerusalem. Jesus is the pastor teaching his leadership team to be awake to the devil’s war against the Kingdom. They are to be firm in Jesus’ eternal truth to stand against the troubles that will come into the church. Our Lord is an elder guiding his Bible study group to teach we must purposefully and courageously move the Gospel of God into the community. The Son of Man is the Ruler who declares, “Prepare the world for my return. It is I who will determine your eternal life.” Jesus is the pastor who leads his people toward the still waters of eternal salvation.
   In these last two lessons, we have seen Jesus’ call to discipleship with his great compassion for those in physical need. We know the Bible has many occasions to teach us of God’s tender care and mercy for those who struggle with many challenges. If we say we follow God, we must always be attentive to help those who are in prison, sick, hungry and bold. Be aware of what God has given you. Know Jesus wants you to share what you have with those who cannot have right now. There are many, many people who are victims of political, religious and racial bigotry. The church’s task is to enter into those hard places to ease the struggles, so people know God is real and he truly loves them through your serving hearts.
 
Jesus Teaches: A disciple has a tender heart.