Barb Becker

CONTEXT

Jesus is giving a private teaching to his disciples. Intimate and important.

They have asked, when will the end of the world be?

he responds not with a date, but a word about readiness. About the importance of always being ready to meet the Lord -- either at the end of our life or when he comes again at the end of time.

Matthew 25:31–46 ESV

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 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, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

INTRODUCTION

A funeral service makes us think about the significance of life and death. The relationship between the two. Does what we believe, does what we do, make any difference, if so, how?

Jesus was clear that life is significant. What we do here and now matters for eternity.

EXEGESIS

At the end of time Jesus will sit on a throne. Glory. Angels.

All the nations. Leaves on the trees of a forest.

Separate them one at a time.

Some on his left and some on his right.

Jesus knows each one...the details and the ACTIONS of their lives.

To those on his right...enter into eternal life and joy...for their deeds of love and compassion. Visiting, feeding, clothing, caring. TO HIM.

To those on the left, depart...for you did none of these things TO HIM.

Both are uncertain. When did we every see YOU and do that? When did we see you and NOT DO THAT.

Notice their surprise...they did not think what they were doing was super-spiritual or even directly connected to Christ.

As surely as you did it to the least of these. You did it to me.

Jesus identifies himself with the poor, the imprisoned, the naked, the stranger, the sick.

God is love and Jesus is the expression of God’s love.

His command, love one another as I have loved you. Serve one another, as I have served you. In this way you will be my disciples.

When you served, loved, helped, prioritized others, you were showing that you belong to my Kingdom.

Come into glory.

INTERPRETATION

Barb had a servants heart. Not servile. No, strong.

Greatest strength is able to serve others. Like Jesus did.

Showed her love

family

church

friends and community

Jesus to her: when you did this to them, you did it to me.

When you rang, you rang for me. When you sang, you sang for me. When you smiled you smiled for me. When you sacrificed for others, you sacrificed for me.

Jesus receives Barb into the glory prepared for her.

APPLICATION

Whenever a saint goes home to be with the Lord, he or she leaves behind an example of Christ for the rest of us to take to heart.

Barb’s example: caring for others.

Jesus said, people will know that you are my disciples when you love one another.

In the time that is left to us...before Jesus comes back or before we go to him, let us embody the love of Jesus like Barb did, so that we can be welcomed like she has been.

Send a card, or text

Volunteer some time

Be extra kind and compassionate in your work

Include someone in your circle of friendship or family.

Smile

When you do these things you are my disciples, like Barb did. Enter into glory, like Barb did.