Day 33 - Separation & Preparation
Day 33 - Separation & Preparation
Written by: Joy Hardin
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 25:34-36, 41
34 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. 35 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, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 41 “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. (ESV)
DEVOTION
While the book of Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant, Luke shows Him as the Son of Man, and John showcases the deity of Christ, the Book of Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah and coming King of the World. In Matthew, we see Jesus teaching repeatedly on the Kingdom. As He was drawing closer to His death, we see Him preparing His followers for things to come, not just in the immediate future but in the distant future as well. We are given a glimpse of Jesus returning one day as King to sit on his throne and judge the nations.
This passage mentions two separate preparations: The Kingdom God has prepared for those who serve in His name (v. 34) and the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (v. 41).
Jesus teaches that there will be a time of separation. People who love Jesus and serve in His name will be on one side, and those who serve their own desires will be on the other. The analogy Jesus gives is as a shepherd separating sheep from goats. The word used for separation indicates a boundary, and it gives the idea of severing the two groups, excluding those who failed to serve Him and serve others in His name.
We have seen Matthew 25:35-36 lived out by many in Romania and other countries, as they helped refugees from Ukraine. They donated food and manned soup kitchens, built shelters and opened their homes, donated clothes, toys and medical supplies for hundreds of thousands of displaced Ukrainians. These sacrifices are a picture of the kind of love Jesus wants us to show for others. But He wants us to have more than just a humanitarian heart; He wants us to care about their eternal home as well. The warning is clear: “these will go away into eternal punishment” (verse 46). It’s important to remember that this place of punishment was not created for people, but for “the devil and his angels” (verse 41).
It’s easy to focus on the action portion of Jesus’ message (what we do for others, we are doing for Him) and miss the other jewel that sits in plain sight. He has a Kingdom prepared that has been there since the foundation of the world!
Usually when we are excited about something we prepare for it in advance, and the opposite is often true about things we dread. I remember my first big science project in middle school. We were given several months to work on the assignment, but I was dreading it so much I procrastinated until the day before it was due. I literally stayed up all night working on my paper and presentation. When I finished (with the help of my dear mom), it was complete with very poor descriptions and very lumpy drawings of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world. It was a pretty boring and pretty bad paper, netting me a low but barely passing grade. This Kingdom prepared for us since the foundation of the world won’t receive a barely passing score. 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us that it will be grander and more amazing than we can imagine.
As followers of Jesus who serve others – those who are hungry, thirsty, displaced, and imprisoned – we are those who are blessed by the Father. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God prepared good works for us to do in advance. It’s always been God’s plan for us to care for others. We are not saved by these good works, but they are evidence of our relationship and love for Christ.
ACTION STEP
There is someone near you who is lonely and in need of help or kindness. When you go out this week, make a plan to intentionally look for people to encourage, help, and include in God’s Kingdom. Send them a card, take them a meal, or give them a phone call. A widow told me recently that even just a short phone call means more to her than people know. Make a point to reach out to at least one person this week.
PRAYER TIME
Father, thank you for all you have prepared for me. Lead me to someone who needs you. Help me to show them your love and kindness.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 25:34-36, 41
34 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. 35 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, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 41 “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. (ESV)
DEVOTION
While the book of Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant, Luke shows Him as the Son of Man, and John showcases the deity of Christ, the Book of Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah and coming King of the World. In Matthew, we see Jesus teaching repeatedly on the Kingdom. As He was drawing closer to His death, we see Him preparing His followers for things to come, not just in the immediate future but in the distant future as well. We are given a glimpse of Jesus returning one day as King to sit on his throne and judge the nations.
This passage mentions two separate preparations: The Kingdom God has prepared for those who serve in His name (v. 34) and the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (v. 41).
Jesus teaches that there will be a time of separation. People who love Jesus and serve in His name will be on one side, and those who serve their own desires will be on the other. The analogy Jesus gives is as a shepherd separating sheep from goats. The word used for separation indicates a boundary, and it gives the idea of severing the two groups, excluding those who failed to serve Him and serve others in His name.
We have seen Matthew 25:35-36 lived out by many in Romania and other countries, as they helped refugees from Ukraine. They donated food and manned soup kitchens, built shelters and opened their homes, donated clothes, toys and medical supplies for hundreds of thousands of displaced Ukrainians. These sacrifices are a picture of the kind of love Jesus wants us to show for others. But He wants us to have more than just a humanitarian heart; He wants us to care about their eternal home as well. The warning is clear: “these will go away into eternal punishment” (verse 46). It’s important to remember that this place of punishment was not created for people, but for “the devil and his angels” (verse 41).
It’s easy to focus on the action portion of Jesus’ message (what we do for others, we are doing for Him) and miss the other jewel that sits in plain sight. He has a Kingdom prepared that has been there since the foundation of the world!
Usually when we are excited about something we prepare for it in advance, and the opposite is often true about things we dread. I remember my first big science project in middle school. We were given several months to work on the assignment, but I was dreading it so much I procrastinated until the day before it was due. I literally stayed up all night working on my paper and presentation. When I finished (with the help of my dear mom), it was complete with very poor descriptions and very lumpy drawings of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world. It was a pretty boring and pretty bad paper, netting me a low but barely passing grade. This Kingdom prepared for us since the foundation of the world won’t receive a barely passing score. 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us that it will be grander and more amazing than we can imagine.
As followers of Jesus who serve others – those who are hungry, thirsty, displaced, and imprisoned – we are those who are blessed by the Father. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God prepared good works for us to do in advance. It’s always been God’s plan for us to care for others. We are not saved by these good works, but they are evidence of our relationship and love for Christ.
ACTION STEP
There is someone near you who is lonely and in need of help or kindness. When you go out this week, make a plan to intentionally look for people to encourage, help, and include in God’s Kingdom. Send them a card, take them a meal, or give them a phone call. A widow told me recently that even just a short phone call means more to her than people know. Make a point to reach out to at least one person this week.
PRAYER TIME
Father, thank you for all you have prepared for me. Lead me to someone who needs you. Help me to show them your love and kindness.
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January 9th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 10th, 2023 - The Burning BushJanuary 11th, 2023 - Strong and Courageous January 12th, 2023 - Obediently Set ApartJanuary 13th, 2023 - Faithful Among Enemy NationsJanuary 14th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 16th, 2023 - Be StillJanuary 17th, 2023 - God Inhabits His PraisesJanuary 18th, 2023 - Enjoying God's PresenceJanuary 19th, 2023 - Broken & Contrite HeartJanuary 20th, 2023 - Asking for OthersJanuary 21st, 2023 - Petition and ProvisionJanuary 23rd, 2023 - One Body, Many PartsJanuary 24th, 2023 - Love One AnotherJanuary 25th, 2023 - Unity in the BodyJanuary 26th, 2023 - Consider Others BetterJanuary 27th, 2023 - Living in the LightJanuary 28th, 2023 - Don't Let Anger Control YouJanuary 30, 2023 - The Power of FastingJanuary 31st, 2023 - Pray as You Can
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February 1st, 2023 - ScriptureFebruary 2nd, 2023 - Sabbath Day, Best DayFebruary 3rd, 2023 - SimplicityFebruary 4th, 2023 - WorshipFebruary 6th, 2023 - Love Your NeighborFebruary 7th, 2023 - Come and See, Go and TellFebruary 8th, 2023 - GenerosityFebruary 9th, 2023 - Caring for the VulnerableFebruary 10, 2023 - HospitalityFebruary 11th, 2023 - Build
2022
January
Covid UpdateDay 1 - Is It Worth It?Day 2 - God Promises His PresenceDay 3 - Aligning Ourselves With GodDay 4 - The Voice of the ShepherdVision 2022 - Begins this Sunday!Day 5 - Rushing or Resting?Day 6 - "By the Grace of God"Day 7 - A Day for Rest and WorshipDay 8 - Ask Boldly and Surrender CompletelyDay 9 - Our Deliverance for His GloryDay 10 - Ask for the ImpossibleDay 11 - Adversity Meets Unwavering FaithWhat an incredible start to 2022!!Day 12 - Focus Reveals FaithDay 13 - Impossible Mission!Day 15 - Followers of JesusDay 16 - The Good News of God’s LoveDay 17 - Radical Love Leads People to JesusLet's Try this Again...Day 18 - Relentless CommitmentDay 19 - Unending Power SourceDay 20 - Come and See, Go and TellDay 22 - Many Parts, One BodyDay 23 - A New Command - Love One AnotherDay 24 - One Body and One LordDay 25 - Be Angry, But Do Not SinDo you Belong?Day 26 - The Commandment of LoveDay 27 - The Attitude and Obedience of Christ
March
Day 1 - Seeking the Lord TogetherDay 2 - Ash WednesdayDay 3 - The Baptism of JesusDay 4 - The Word as a WeaponDay 5 - Freedom in ConfessionDay 6 - Love Your EnemiesDay 7 - Anxious for NothingDay 8 - Effective PrayerDay 9 - Amazing FaithDay 10 - The Bleeding WomanDay 11 - Confidence in GodDay 12 - Fear Not!Day 13 - Come and RestDay 14 - Kingdom Minded CommunityDay 15 - The TreasureDay 16 - Peace in His PresenceDay 17 - Raise the RoofDay 18 - A Parent's CommitmentDay 19 - Too Good to be TrueDay 20 - Only JesusDay 21 - The Ninety-Nine and the OneDay 22 - Salvation Through SurrenderDay 23 - Good Rest from a Good ShepherdDay 24 - Read the RoomDay 25 - A Fruitful FaithDay 26 - The Wedding FeastDay 27 - Serve Like Jesus