Matthew 25 Sheep and the Goats

The lectionary calendar ends dramatically this Sunday with this image of Christs return, and he's in a judgemental mood. This is the ultimate demonstration of who has got what it takes to be in the kingdom of heaven, and who hasn't. jesus carefully seperates us into the Sheep and the Goats. the Sheep have been full of acts of love to those without, the Goats have done the opposite, and failed to react to those in misery. We learn that Jesus is a hard taskmaster. All the time we have been expected to be kind and compassionate.

Surely that's expecting a bit much? Our society encourages us not to give to beggars, to leave illness to the professionals, to throw hatred at those in prison and to doubt the motives of the stranger. Christ demands too much!

The list of peoples in which we encounter Christ is illustrative, not exhaustive, but it covers key areas already examined in the Gospels - hunger, thirst, sickness, strangers, destitute, those in prison. We are expected to share, to make sure people have the means to live, we are asked to be welcoming to others, we need to heal the sick, provide for the very poor and visit those that society shuns.

Maybe that seems too much, but it is what is asked of us. As I prepared the sermon for tomorrow, a homeless man came and asked for a pair of socks. Luckily I had some airplane ones to hand and I gave him them. Tony went away very thankful, and for a moment I felt quite pleased with myself. Then, as I read the scripture, dread filled me. Had I checked how he was? Had I asked if he was hungry? Why did I not invite him into the warm on such a bitterly cold night?

Matthew 25 shows us our 'sins of omissions' - how we have failed to serve the one who came and served us. It is a sobering and fitting end to the season. Now as Advent comes on us next week - we must examine our readiness to meet the coming king. For he comes in the most unexpected ways.