As M. Eugene Boring points out in the New Interpreter's Bible (Volume 8, Pg. 455)
"These are the last words of Jesus' last discourse, a climactic point to which Matthew has carefully built." This judgment scene follows a series of warnings about right living while faithfully waiting for Christ's coming. This scene is unique to Matthew and it is the only scene of judgment in Christian scripture. As Eugene Boring points out, it is not a parable. It is an apocalyptic drama. Parables begin with the familiar and move to the fantastic and extreme. This drama begins with an other-worldly scene and moves to the familiar.
How much does this scene frighten us? What does it all mean?
If you haven't read it to refresh your memory please do so.
Notice there is no mention of grace or belief or forgiveness. What counts, and the only thing that seems to count, is good deeds for needy people. Is that what judgment is really going to be based upon?
Remember that this is the conclusion of Jesus' great "Judgment Discourse" that I wrote about in the last post. It should be interpreted in light of the whole discourse.
Throughout Matthew's gospel there has been a conflict of kingdoms. Matthew makes it clear there are only two, and we fall into one or the other. There is the kingdom of this world, which is synonymous with the kingdom of Satan, the devil, AND human reason. Then there is the kingdom of heaven, which is based on following God's will and discovering that God is the source of all self-worth.
That conflict of kingdoms is played out in this judgment scene. The two kingdoms are sorted. One goes to fulfillment with God. The other to eternal punishment.
The idea of eternal punishment creates fear in many people. Some pastors and churches build their entire ministry around it. But let's take a cue from Jesus. Did Jesus ever threaten anyone with damnation? Did he ever tell anyone they were going to go to hell if they didn't change right then and there? No. John the Baptist had some harsh language, but not Jesus. And so let us not let fear be what dominates our faith. Instead let us recognize the power and capability of God. Martin Luther wrote often that we are to fear and love the Lord. This is not to frighten us into obedience but rather give us a healthy appreciation for God's complete sovereignty. Coming to God primarily out of fear and terror is not a way to appreciate God's love.
In the parable those who are in God's kingdom discover that they have been living by it all along, even though they didn't recognize it. It is not their deeds of love and mercy that earn their way in. Instead their deeds of love and mercy have been expressions of what is more deeply inside them. It is an expression that God has been at work in them and they have built their lives around being valued by God.
In contrast, those who are rejected have lived in a transactional model of life. They help when helping is calculated to have benefit. They have been good when being good is calculated to bring them a return. Regardless of whether one labels oneself a follower of Christ or not, this is human thinking, not the thinking of the kingdom of God.
This judgment scene has indeed caused fear in many people. I believe that is not its intention. I believe its intention is to give its readers reassurance that God has all things in control. It gives assurance that when God's kingdom is fully manifest in heaven God will not allow selfish thinking, and scheming, and neglect to have a place. It will be good. Truly good. We will not have to worry about what people think of us. We will not have to worry about someone scheming us or exploiting us. We will be able to give and to receive with joy and happiness knowing the closeness of God's love always.
It will be amazing. Truly amazing!
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