True Brotherly Love

Saturday, November 21, 2020

For November 22, the Last Sunday of the Church Year, the updated Lectionary (appointed, selected Scripture Readings) include Jesus’ Last Day discourse, recorded in Matthew 25:31-46, which has been one of the most abused, misread Scripture readings for the past century—completely differently than it has been read for the previous nineteen or so centuries. In those verses, Jesus tells of Judgment Day. Those on His right—the Sheep—are welcomed into His eternal kingdom, as the Lord explains to them that when He was hungry, thirsty, naked, and jailed, they had supplied His needs and visited with Him. Then, they asked Him: when did we ever see you hungry, thirsty, naked, or imprisoned? For those on Jesus’ left—the Goats—were sent into the “eternal fire.” First, Jesus told them that they had not done any of the above things. But here is the key to understanding the proper meaning of this teaching (not a parable). Also notice that both the sheep and the goats received their judgment before any behavior or works of those judged were even mentioned.

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