The Lord of Glory Returns: The High Cost of Indifference

Published on Mar 17, 2023
Category: Behold! | Devotion

Read: Matthew 25:31-46

Matthew 25:31-33 – “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.

Jesus will return in glory to judge the nations, we cannot afford to be indifferent.

Jesus uses the parable of sheep and goats to explain His return in glory. When He does, He will separate all those on earth as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep on His right-hand side are blessed by God the Father and given an inheritance based on what they have done (Matthew 25:35-40). While the goats on the left-hand side are cursed with eternal hellfire and sent away to eternal punishment (Matthew 25:41-46). The good works mentioned in the parable are not the cause of salvation but rather the effect of salvation.

The fault of those cursed was not some moral violation, but rather their indifference – indifference to Jesus and His followers. It was their indifference that sealed their fate. The cost of indifference is very high. We cannot afford to be indifferent to Jesus’s imminent return nor the Holy Spirit who makes us ready for His return. We cannot afford to be indifferent to the resources God has given us or to the needs of those around us. Most importantly, we cannot afford to be indifferent to the lost humanity that will stand in judgment.

“The ‘guilt’ of the cursed arises not so much from doing wrong things as from failure to do right…to do nothing is seen as the road to condemnation” (France). So, the question is – when I needed a neighbor were you there?

Ponder

  1. Are you prioritizing your preparation for Jesus’ imminent return? How can you inspire others to do the same?
  2. Would you ask God to help you be an encouragement to a friend or family member to stay accountable?
  3. Are you someone who is rather indifferent to Jesus’ return and His people? What do you think are some reasons? Is there someone you can reach out to talk to about this?

Scripture Writing: Galatians 6:9

Song: When I Needed a Neighbor Were You There?

Author

Preethi Alice Jacob

Preethi Jacob is the author of the yearlong devotional At the Potter’s Wheel, Day by Day. Her journey includes teaching a Bible Study Fellowship class, teaching and leading the Sunday School ministry in her church, leading Bible studies, besides counselling young women. She serves on the Global Mission Team of the United Bible Societies and lives in Bangalore, India with her husband and two young adult children.

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