Sunday: The Nations Gathered — Matthew 25:31-33
When the Day of Judgment comes all people will be gathered together, sinners and faithful alike. From every place on earth, from the farthest reaches of the world, all will be gathered together to give an accounting of their lives before the King of Kings. Christ’s tribunal will judge the hearts and motivations of mankind. He will separate out the wheat from the chaff—the good from the bad—and will deliver just sentences to all.
Monday: Reward to the Righteous — Matthew 25:34-36
God has great rewards for His children who walk in righteousness. To them He has promised the riches of His kingdom and life everlasting. Walking in righteousness carries with it a responsibility to minister the love and grace of God to others. God freely gives grace to us and He expects us to spread that grace. He directs that we spread His gospel by ministering to the needy, the downtrodden, and the broken-hearted. The good works of the children of God will bring great blessings on this earth and rewards to come.
Tuesday: The Righteous Ponder — Matthew 25:37-39
The righteous are surprised to hear that they had ministered to their Lord. “When did we do this?” they asked. They recognized that they hadn’t actually done anything to their Master. But the Master’s answer gives them much to ponder. He expounds a list of various times when they ministered to those around them, bringing God’s hope, love and grace: times when they went into the prisons to bring hope to those who were held captive; times when they gave a cup of water to someone who was thirsting; times when they assisted strangers, aided the sick, and gave shelter and clothing to the needy. “When you did it for them,” He explained, “you did it to me.” Are we looking for opportunities to bless Christ today?
Wednesday: The King’s Favor — Matthew 25:40
There was a story written about Martin of Tours, a young Roman soldier who lived in the 4th century that is reminiscent of the main theme of the parable of the sheep and goats. One day he met an unclothed man begging for alms in the freezing cold. Martin stopped, cut his coat in two and gave half to the stranger. That night he dreamed he saw Jesus seated on a throne and robed in a torn cloak. Around Him were a host of angels. One of the angels asked, “Master, why do you wear that battered cloak?” Jesus replied, “My servant Martin gave it to me.”
Thursday: Curse upon the Unrighteous — Matthew 25:41-43
The consequences of not sharing the love of God through selfless acts and of not walking in righteousness are harsh. The result is that they are completely separated from God. The words, “depart from me,” are a command to the unrighteous. It indicates that they did not leave willing, they were driven away. Their fate is permanent separation from God.
Friday: The Unrighteous Complaint — Matthew 25:44
The unrighteous ask the same basic question that the righteous asked of the Master: When did these things happen? They recognized that they had not seen the Master sick, unclothed, or in need of food and drink. The answer they receive is similar too: the unrighteous are told that every time they saw someone in need and did not minister, they were rejecting Christ Himself.
Saturday: Judgment upon the Unrighteous — Matthew 25:45-46
The contrast between the judgments meted out to the righteous and unrighteous are quite dramatic. The righteous are blessed with eternal communion with God. The fruit of their faithful walk with their Lord is eternal life and unending joy. The unrighteous suffer eternal separation from God, an eternal punishment.