Psalm 105:1-7     Jeremiah 26:1-6     1 Thessalonians 3:7-13     Matthew 25:31-46

 

            “You’ve Got To Be Kidding!” is an expression most of us are familiar with.  As we watched outside yesterday and saw those first snow flurries, I’m sure some said, “You’ve got to be kidding!” especially thinking how pleasant the meteorological conditions were earlier in the week.

            When I tell you I was up at 4:30 Wednesday morning just to watch the news you are liable to say, “Pastor, you’ve got to be kidding!” both to being up that early and for mentioning it in a sermon.

            What was on the news at that time Wednesday morning was a unique direct broadcast from London, England.  It was Queen Elizabeth as she addressed Parliament.  I watched in awe as all of the participants were dressed in special outfits.  There were the pages, the guards, the attendants, the House of Lords dressed up and many wearing their powdered wigs, the House of Commons in common clothing.  The queen was preceded and announced as one would imagine in days of old.  She and Prince Philip entered.  He was dressed in his decorated military suit and the Queen in a royal dress with long red train carried by four young men.  The scene was beyond my belief.  I almost said, “You’ve got to be kidding!” in response to the ceremony and how all unfolded.  What was occurring was Queen Elizabeth addressing Parliament with the proposed legislation they would soon be addressing.

 

As one reads today’s Gospel message he may easily ask, “You’ve got to be kidding!”  Here we have Jesus sitting on his throne.  Then he divides people on earth as a shepherd divides sheep from goats.  This sounds a little crude and demeaning.  You’ve got to be kidding!  Jesus is pronouncing an eternal judgment.  Many in the world around us would quickly say, “You’ve got to be kidding!  Jesus wouldn’t do that!”  Many in this world think and believe that because God loves all, he will certainly care for all and not condemn anyone, or at least anyone who has been “good.” 

As we read through the text, we see Jesus saying that people are going to respond, “You’ve got to be kidding!”  They do not understand when and how they fed Him, when they gave him drink, clothing, and shelter.  People respond to the needs of others because we see a need.  We just do those things.  People didn’t do it because they knew it was Jesus.  People don’t do these things just because they think the needy person may be Jesus.  What Jesus is telling us is like this.  Have you ever done something for someone because you know how much it meant when someone did that for you?  Those who love me know how much my (Jesus’) love is for you.  As you know that, you share that love with another.  As you share my love with another, you are sharing it with me in return.  It is the joy of knowing my love has been given again and again. 

Likewise, the unfaithful say, “You’ve got to be kidding!”  When did we see you?  When did we have a chance to do these things for you?  What do you mean by all of this?  Why, you are here now.  How about a second chance?  To which Jesus gives those final words of judgment, “Depart from me!” 

 

You’ve got to be kidding!   Is judgment going to be that abrupt?  Yes, judgment is for the judged, not the saved.  Note that Jesus speaks of his kingdom only to the sheep.  He is their king, their shepherd, the one who gives all things, guides, leads, and protects them, and they follow him.  Jesus does not use the term “King” as he speaks to the goats.  They are not of his kingdom, the kingdom of grace.  They are not of his kingdom, the kingdom of those faithful to him for love that is forgiveness given and received only in his name. 

Judgment is a frightful thing for those who trust in themselves for eternity and do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord, Jesus as God’s own Son, Jesus as our heavenly king.  Those who deny him, deny the Father who sent him.  Those who trust in works alone never know whether the value of their works are enough or the right ones.  Those who trust in their own works do not know the comfort of knowing that all of the work was done on the cross.  Those who do not know the completeness of God’s love in Jesus do not know the joys of sharing that love to others.  Those who deny Jesus never serve him by sharing his love and joy with others.  It now is no surprise that they can ask, “When did we see you hungry, etc.?”

You’ve got to be kidding!  How can God forgive all sins, the ones of the most horrendous as well as the kindest and gentlest person?  Then the question gets tougher, “How can I forgive all sins against me, from the most horrendous to those I have no inkling of?”  Then the question gets really tough:  “How can God forgive all of my sins, even the deepest and darkest in my heart that I have covered up so well not even I can understand them any more?” 

When you know and hold God’s love that completely, trusting in Jesus to take away all of those sins, you know God is not kidding.  When you know and hold God’s love that completely, you begin to understand forgiving others as he has forgiven you.  When you know and hold God’s love that completely, you are so willing to share that unbelievable love with others no matter who or where they are.

Interesting thing about the word “sheep.”  In Scripture, that specific word is used interchangeably as sheep and as God’s children.  The Shepherd King royally shepherds us, his children.   And, all thoughts of kidding are gone.  It is the joy of this text that God remains faithful to his children, saving those who trust in him.  It is a challenge to God’s children to give freely in this world so that others know the name Jesus also.  It isn’t a law to give that freely.  It is the joy that God has in redeeming you, calling his own, that he wants each one of us to share as we spread that joy to countless others.

Feeding Jesus – are you kidding?  Telling another about Jesus is satisfying his hunger to bring another to faith.  Giving him drink – are you kidding?  Gifts that spread the Gospel throughout different neighborhoods both here and abroad quench a thirst for the comfort of the Gospel from parched sinners.  Giving food and shelter to Jesus – are you kidding?  When people are protected from Satan, it is a greater comfort than being protected from the elements of this world.  And that can only happen when God’s word is well taught and learned, strengthening faith and self-confidence in repeating Jesus’ words when tempted, “Get behind me Satan. 

God gives us the gifts of the earth to support temporary life here for each one and all others.  What a great joy it is to share these gifts as we can.

God gives us the gifts of his love in Jesus Christ to guarantee eternal life with him in heaven.  What greater joy can there be to share that gift with all others too. 

And this peace that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen.