The Challenge of Jesus.
Week #5: Come and Take.
Opening Reflections.
Where have you seen God at work in your life this week?
Share any brief examples and encouragements.
Was there anything from Sunday’s message (from Jazz Crowne) which resonated with you or that you felt resistance to? Anything else you particularly noticed?
‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
‘Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
‘Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and go to visit you?”
‘The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
‘Then he 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. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was ill and in prison and you did not look after me.” ‘They also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or ill or in prison, and did not help you?”
‘He will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
‘Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.’
Matthew 25:31-46
1. This parable of Jesus touches on many things. It reminds us that kindness in the little ordinary things of life is at the very heart of what it means to live as a follower of the way of Jesus. But it is also about living in God’s kingdom, which is both about the future, but also about right now.
· What do you need to do so that you can come and take your inheritance?
· Do you need to be reminded that God is for you? What do you need God to remind you about?
· Is he inviting you to let go of something?
2. Every single person you meet is made in the image of God.
· How might remembering this change the way you interact with other people this week?
3. Jesus is talking here about meeting practical needs; but it all starts with noticing people – having our eyes open wide enough to really see what other people around us lack. Inviting strangers in may be difficult at the moment (and almost certainly an unlawful breach of COVID regulations), so you may need to get creative.
· What is one thing you can do to practically serve someone that you know is in need of support?
· Just think, is there a neighbour or someone whom you pass regularly (perhaps at work, or in your local corner shop, or on the street) but you don’t really “see” them?
· What needs do you notice in your town? Your village? Your community?
· Some needs may be obvious, but what about the needs hidden behind high hedges, manicured lawns, and at the end of carefully raked driveways?
Closing Reflections.
Is there anything you will take away from this study and discussion?What has stood out that you can take into your week ahead?
Pray together (in pairs or small groups) for each other, in response to your answers.
Listen to the message.
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