We're going to look at an important part of Matthew's Gospel together - Matthew 25:31-46. This is where Jesus tells us about a future day when He returns to earth as King.
In this passage, Jesus describes what happens after He returns. He'll gather all the people from every nation and separate them into two groups - like a shepherd separating sheep from goats. The sheep go on His right side, and the goats go on His left.
What's really interesting is how Jesus decides who goes where. The sheep are the ones who showed their faith by how they treated others - Jesus says: "35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." Jesus then says something amazing: "40 ...as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
The goats are the ones who didn't help others, and it shows they never really believed in Jesus.
This passage reminds us that real faith in Jesus always shows up in real ways. It's NOT about earning our salvation - Jesus already did that on the cross. It's about our faith changing how we live and love others.
