Will We Be Judged by Our Works on the Last Day? Don Carson Explains Matthew 25:31-46

And now we come to our one, the pastor, And now we come to our one, the pastor, the the the sheep and goats. Now I'm the the the sheep and goats. Now I'm the the the sheep and goats. Now I'm going to tell you what I understand this going to tell you what I understand this going to tell you what I understand this parable to mean in a moment. parable to mean in a moment. parable to mean in a moment. But let me tell you how it is often But let me tell you how it is often But let me tell you how it is often understood. I think misunderstood a understood. I think misunderstood a understood. I think misunderstood a little bit because it's ripped out of little bit because it's ripped out of little bit because it's ripped out of the context. It's often understood to the context. It's often understood to the context. It's often understood to mean something like this. On the last day, according to this On the last day, according to this parable, with this interpretation of it, parable, with this interpretation of it, parable, with this interpretation of it, on the last day, we'll be judged on the on the last day, we'll be judged on the on the last day, we'll be judged on the basis of how kind we've been to poor and basis of how kind we've been to poor and basis of how kind we've been to poor and indigent people. It's as simple as that. It's as simple as that. In as much as you dig wells in the Sahel In as much as you dig wells in the Sahel In as much as you dig wells in the Sahel for poor people there, in as much as you for poor people there, in as much as you for poor people there, in as much as you run a soup kitchen or in as much as you run a soup kitchen or in as much as you run a soup kitchen or in as much as you look after poor people, in as much as look after poor people, in as much as look after poor people, in as much as you've done all of this, you've done it you've done all of this, you've done it you've done all of this, you've done it for Jesus. So that it doesn't matter what you So that it doesn't matter what you believe or how much you trust Christ or believe or how much you trust Christ or believe or how much you trust Christ or whether you believe in the resurrection whether you believe in the resurrection whether you believe in the resurrection of the dead or anything. If in fact you of the dead or anything. If in fact you of the dead or anything. If in fact you you you are careful with respect to poor you you are careful with respect to poor you you are careful with respect to poor people people people and generous and self-denying, and generous and self-denying, and generous and self-denying, then you're in.

then you're in. then you're in. And on the other hand, if you are hard-hearted and selfish and if you are hard-hearted and selfish and stingy, stingy, stingy, condescending, condescending, condescending, arrogant, arrogant, arrogant, selfish, selfish, selfish, then you're out. then you're out. then you're out. And the final div division is And the final div division is And the final div division is spectacularly decisive. Verse 46. Then spectacularly decisive. Verse 46. Then spectacularly decisive. Verse 46. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, they will go away to eternal punishment, they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life, the but the righteous to eternal life, the but the righteous to eternal life, the sheep and the goats. It all depends on sheep and the goats. It all depends on sheep and the goats. It all depends on what you do. In fact, when I was a young man, In fact, when I was a young man, everybody was reading for a while a book everybody was reading for a while a book everybody was reading for a while a book simply called in as much. That was the simply called in as much. That was the simply called in as much. That was the title. title. title. Because in the King James version, Because in the King James version, Because in the King James version, which the author of the book was which the author of the book was which the author of the book was quoting, quoting, quoting, verse 40 reads, I tell you the truth, in verse 40 reads, I tell you the truth, in verse 40 reads, I tell you the truth, in as much as you did it for one of the as much as you did it for one of the as much as you did it for one of the least of these brothers, you did it unto least of these brothers, you did it unto least of these brothers, you did it unto me. In as much. So the book's title was me. In as much. So the book's title was me. In as much. So the book's title was simply simply simply in as much.

in as much. in as much. Now, on the face of it, there's Now, on the face of it, there's Now, on the face of it, there's something along the line of looking something along the line of looking something along the line of looking after the poor and the indigent and the after the poor and the indigent and the after the poor and the indigent and the hungry and the ill-lod. there. There's hungry and the ill-lod. there. There's hungry and the ill-lod. there. There's something about that here. All right. I something about that here. All right. I something about that here. All right. I I don't want to duck that in the I don't want to duck that in the I don't want to duck that in the slightest. And I insist that there are slightest. And I insist that there are slightest. And I insist that there are many many many passages in the Bible, many many many passages in the Bible, many many many passages in the Bible, many chunks of scripture that deal with many chunks of scripture that deal with many chunks of scripture that deal with generosity and and the importance of generosity and and the importance of generosity and and the importance of caring for the poor, especially the poor caring for the poor, especially the poor caring for the poor, especially the poor who are poor for no fault of their own. who are poor for no fault of their own. who are poor for no fault of their own. The poor because they are oppressed or The poor because they are oppressed or The poor because they are oppressed or the poor because because they they have the poor because because they they have the poor because because they they have been exploited or the poor because of been exploited or the poor because of been exploited or the poor because of natural circumstances or the the the natural circumstances or the the the natural circumstances or the the the poor because they have come from poor because they have come from poor because they have come from terrible family backgrounds. There are terrible family backgrounds. There are terrible family backgrounds. There are lots and lots of passages that that that lots and lots of passages that that that lots and lots of passages that that that talk along those lines. Read Amos for talk along those lines. Read Amos for talk along those lines. Read Amos for example or read the opening chapters of example or read the opening chapters of example or read the opening chapters of the prophecy of Isaiah. Many many the prophecy of Isaiah. Many many the prophecy of Isaiah. Many many passages run along such lines. And I don't want to dilute any of them. And I don't want to dilute any of them. yet at the same time to take the yet at the same time to take the yet at the same time to take the interpretation of this passage that I've interpretation of this passage that I've interpretation of this passage that I've just outlined for you just outlined for you just outlined for you and make it the whole turning point of and make it the whole turning point of and make it the whole turning point of what will happen to us when Christ what will happen to us when Christ what will happen to us when Christ returns returns returns means that just about everything else in means that just about everything else in means that just about everything else in the New Testament doesn't make much the New Testament doesn't make much the New Testament doesn't make much sense.

sense. sense. After all, where is this Gospel of After all, where is this Gospel of After all, where is this Gospel of Matthew going? Matthew going? Matthew going? This Gospel of Matthew, like all the This Gospel of Matthew, like all the This Gospel of Matthew, like all the canonical gospels, is rushing toward the canonical gospels, is rushing toward the canonical gospels, is rushing toward the cross. cross. cross. What does Jesus have to die for? Why What does Jesus have to die for? Why What does Jesus have to die for? Why does he say on the night that he was does he say on the night that he was does he say on the night that he was betrayed? This cup is the new covenant betrayed? This cup is the new covenant betrayed? This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this in remembrance of in my blood. Do this in remembrance of in my blood. Do this in remembrance of me. This is for the remission of sins. me. This is for the remission of sins. me. This is for the remission of sins. Why? Why does he have to die? Why does Why? Why does he have to die? Why does Why? Why does he have to die? Why does he say that the son of man did not come he say that the son of man did not come he say that the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give to be served but to serve and to give to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many? his life a ransom for many? his life a ransom for many? Why is there so much in the New Why is there so much in the New Why is there so much in the New Testament that talks about the Testament that talks about the Testament that talks about the importance of Christ's death and importance of Christ's death and importance of Christ's death and resurrection on our behalf and a as the resurrection on our behalf and a as the resurrection on our behalf and a as the one who bears our sin? Why is it that one who bears our sin? Why is it that one who bears our sin? Why is it that Christ's righteousness is reckoned to me Christ's righteousness is reckoned to me Christ's righteousness is reckoned to me and my sin is reckoned to him and he and my sin is reckoned to him and he and my sin is reckoned to him and he pays for it all? He takes the pays for it all? He takes the pays for it all? He takes the punishment. That's what he does. So that punishment. That's what he does. So that punishment. That's what he does. So that I might be free. Why are there so many I might be free. Why are there so many I might be free. Why are there so many texts that say, "Believe in the Lord texts that say, "Believe in the Lord texts that say, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved if at Jesus Christ and you will be saved if at Jesus Christ and you will be saved if at the end of the day it doesn't really the end of the day it doesn't really the end of the day it doesn't really matter what you believe so long as matter what you believe so long as matter what you believe so long as you're good to the poor."

Now, sometimes there are just tensions Now, sometimes there are just tensions in scripture and you just have to live in scripture and you just have to live in scripture and you just have to live with them. But on the face of it, there with them. But on the face of it, there with them. But on the face of it, there are so many texts in scripture, not at are so many texts in scripture, not at are so many texts in scripture, not at least in the book of Matthew itself, least in the book of Matthew itself, least in the book of Matthew itself, that make this interpretation at least a that make this interpretation at least a that make this interpretation at least a bit suspiciously bit suspiciously bit suspiciously offcenter somehow. But I think that there are But I think that there are lots of hints in the text about how you lots of hints in the text about how you lots of hints in the text about how you should understand this parable. Let me should understand this parable. Let me should understand this parable. Let me state the point state the point state the point and then unpack it for you. Wait for the and then unpack it for you. Wait for the and then unpack it for you. Wait for the Lord Jesus as people whose lives are so transformed as people whose lives are so transformed by the gospel by the gospel by the gospel that they unself-consciously serve that they unself-consciously serve that they unself-consciously serve brothers and sisters in Christ. brothers and sisters in Christ. brothers and sisters in Christ. Let me repeat that and then explain it. Let me repeat that and then explain it. Let me repeat that and then explain it. wait for the Lord Jesus as peoples as wait for the Lord Jesus as peoples as wait for the Lord Jesus as peoples as people whose lives are so transformed by people whose lives are so transformed by people whose lives are so transformed by the gospel that they unself-consciously the gospel that they unself-consciously the gospel that they unself-consciously serve brothers and sisters in Christ.

Now there are two bits in the parable Now there are two bits in the parable that we simply have to understand more that we simply have to understand more that we simply have to understand more closely closely closely both in verse 40 both in verse 40 both in verse 40 and in verse 45 and in verse 45 and in verse 45 Jesus says something like this. Whatever Jesus says something like this. Whatever Jesus says something like this. Whatever you did for one of the least of these you did for one of the least of these you did for one of the least of these brothers brothers brothers and the brothers are understood to be and the brothers are understood to be and the brothers are understood to be male and female. Hence brothers and male and female. Hence brothers and male and female. Hence brothers and sisters sisters sisters you did for me. you did for me. you did for me. And again in verse 45 I tell you And again in verse 45 I tell you And again in verse 45 I tell you whatever you did not do for one of the whatever you did not do for one of the whatever you did not do for one of the least of these that is these brothers least of these that is these brothers least of these that is these brothers you did not do for me. So the question you did not do for me. So the question you did not do for me. So the question is this in Matthew's gospel who are is this in Matthew's gospel who are is this in Matthew's gospel who are Jesus brothers you see if you assume that this is Jesus you see if you assume that this is Jesus way of talking about everybody in the way of talking about everybody in the way of talking about everybody in the whole wide world who is poor or indigent whole wide world who is poor or indigent whole wide world who is poor or indigent or broken then you necessarily come out or broken then you necessarily come out or broken then you necessarily come out with a first interpretation.

with a first interpretation. with a first interpretation. But if you think that these brothers may But if you think that these brothers may But if you think that these brothers may be referring to a particular subgroup, be referring to a particular subgroup, be referring to a particular subgroup, then you have to find out which group. then you have to find out which group. then you have to find out which group. And the only way you can find out is by And the only way you can find out is by And the only way you can find out is by discovering what Jesus means when he discovering what Jesus means when he discovering what Jesus means when he talks about his brothers talks about his brothers talks about his brothers as he does in a variety of passages in as he does in a variety of passages in as he does in a variety of passages in this gospel. Occasionally the brothers this gospel. Occasionally the brothers this gospel. Occasionally the brothers of Jesus in this gospel are his literal of Jesus in this gospel are his literal of Jesus in this gospel are his literal half-brothers that is the sons and then half-brothers that is the sons and then half-brothers that is the sons and then for the sisters the daughters of Mary for the sisters the daughters of Mary for the sisters the daughters of Mary and Joseph. But when he is not speaking so literally But when he is not speaking so literally then without exception his brothers then without exception his brothers then without exception his brothers are his disciples. are his disciples. are his disciples. For example, For example, For example, Matthew 12:46. Matthew 12:46. Matthew 12:46. While Jesus was still talking to the While Jesus was still talking to the While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers, and that crowd, his mother and brothers, and that crowd, his mother and brothers, and that certainly means his half-brothers, his certainly means his half-brothers, his certainly means his half-brothers, his biological kin, biological kin, biological kin, stood outside wanting to speak to him.

stood outside wanting to speak to him. stood outside wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and Someone told him, "Your mother and Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside wanting to brothers are standing outside wanting to brothers are standing outside wanting to speak to you." speak to you." speak to you." He replied to them, "Who is my mother He replied to them, "Who is my mother He replied to them, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" Pointing to and who are my brothers?" Pointing to and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said,"Here are my his disciples, he said,"Here are my his disciples, he said,"Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does mother and my brothers. For whoever does mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my the will of my father in heaven is my the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." brother and sister and mother." brother and sister and mother." Now, he's not denying that he had kin. Now, he's not denying that he had kin. Now, he's not denying that he had kin. He's not denying the genetic He's not denying the genetic He's not denying the genetic relationship between Mary and himself. relationship between Mary and himself. relationship between Mary and himself. He's not denying the genetic He's not denying the genetic He's not denying the genetic relationship between his half brothers relationship between his half brothers relationship between his half brothers and himself. What he is saying is that and himself. What he is saying is that and himself. What he is saying is that those closest to him, those who are part those closest to him, those who are part those closest to him, those who are part of his, shall we say, most important of his, shall we say, most important of his, shall we say, most important family, controlling family. family, controlling family. family, controlling family. They're his disciples. For at the end of the day, those are the For at the end of the day, those are the ones who will be with him forever. ones who will be with him forever. ones who will be with him forever. Those who are the ones who by the power Those who are the ones who by the power Those who are the ones who by the power of the gospel are declared to be of the gospel are declared to be of the gospel are declared to be genuinely the sons of God, joint hes genuinely the sons of God, joint hes genuinely the sons of God, joint hes with him.

or again or again it's not just here but in other passages it's not just here but in other passages it's not just here but in other passages we find uh similar kinds of expressions. we find uh similar kinds of expressions. we find uh similar kinds of expressions. Um Um Um 238 you are not to be called rabbi for 238 you are not to be called rabbi for 238 you are not to be called rabbi for you have one teacher and you are all you have one teacher and you are all you have one teacher and you are all brothers. So the disciples of Jesus are brothers. So the disciples of Jesus are brothers. So the disciples of Jesus are again called brothers or again in again called brothers or again in again called brothers or again in chapter 28 the last chapter after the chapter 28 the last chapter after the chapter 28 the last chapter after the resurrection of Jesus. resurrection of Jesus. resurrection of Jesus. Chapter 28 verse 10. Then Jesus said to Chapter 28 verse 10. Then Jesus said to Chapter 28 verse 10. Then Jesus said to them after the resurrection do not be them after the resurrection do not be them after the resurrection do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me. And the Galilee. There they will see me. And the Galilee. There they will see me. And the brothers in the context is clearly the brothers in the context is clearly the brothers in the context is clearly the disciples. So what you have then in chapter 25 in So what you have then in chapter 25 in the parable of the sheep and the goats the parable of the sheep and the goats the parable of the sheep and the goats is this. is this. is this. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for Truly I tell you, whatever you did for Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and one of the least of these brothers and one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, these these disciples sisters of mine, these these disciples sisters of mine, these these disciples of mine, you did for me.

In other words, what Jesus is talking In other words, what Jesus is talking about is the attitude of Christians about is the attitude of Christians about is the attitude of Christians toward other Christians, especially toward other Christians, especially toward other Christians, especially those who are being persecuted, those who are being persecuted, those who are being persecuted, being put in jail, robbed of all of being put in jail, robbed of all of being put in jail, robbed of all of their goods. Jesus in chapter 10 warns their goods. Jesus in chapter 10 warns their goods. Jesus in chapter 10 warns that that is going to happen to a lot of that that is going to happen to a lot of that that is going to happen to a lot of Christians. Christians. Christians. Do do you know that there have been more Do do you know that there have been more Do do you know that there have been more Christian converts in the last 150 years Christian converts in the last 150 years Christian converts in the last 150 years than in the previous 1800 years than in the previous 1800 years than in the previous 1800 years combined? And there have been more combined? And there have been more combined? And there have been more Christian martyrs in the last 150 years Christian martyrs in the last 150 years Christian martyrs in the last 150 years than the previous 1800 years combined. than the previous 1800 years combined. than the previous 1800 years combined. There are a lot of people around the There are a lot of people around the There are a lot of people around the world who understand that following world who understand that following world who understand that following Jesus costs something. Jesus costs something. Jesus costs something. And when it when it happens to these And when it when it happens to these And when it when it happens to these brothers and sisters, our brothers and brothers and sisters, our brothers and brothers and sisters, our brothers and sisters in Christ, sisters in Christ, sisters in Christ, what is the response of the remaining what is the response of the remaining what is the response of the remaining brothers and sisters? Well, if they're genuine brothers and Well, if they're genuine brothers and sisters in Christ, without even thinking sisters in Christ, without even thinking sisters in Christ, without even thinking about them, they bring them food and about them, they bring them food and about them, they bring them food and clothing. They provide shelter. They clothing. They provide shelter. They clothing. They provide shelter. They hide them from persecutors. They risk hide them from persecutors. They risk hide them from persecutors. They risk their own lives. They look after them.

their own lives. They look after them. their own lives. They look after them. And what does Jesus say? In as much as And what does Jesus say? In as much as And what does Jesus say? In as much as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to one of the least of these, you've done it to me. Because Jesus you've done it to me. Because Jesus you've done it to me. Because Jesus identifies with his church. identifies with his church. identifies with his church. Do you recall when Saul is persecuting Do you recall when Saul is persecuting Do you recall when Saul is persecuting Christians in the book of Acts and takes Christians in the book of Acts and takes Christians in the book of Acts and takes his terror campaign to Damascus? On the his terror campaign to Damascus? On the his terror campaign to Damascus? On the Damascus road, the resurrected Christ Damascus road, the resurrected Christ Damascus road, the resurrected Christ appears to him and he says to him, appears to him and he says to him, appears to him and he says to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting not the church, but why are you not the church, but why are you not the church, but why are you persecuting me?" Because in so far as we persecuting me?" Because in so far as we persecuting me?" Because in so far as we are persecuting are persecuting are persecuting the church, we're persecuting Christ. the church, we're persecuting Christ. the church, we're persecuting Christ. Christ identifies with his own people. Christ identifies with his own people. Christ identifies with his own people. In as much as you've done it to the In as much as you've done it to the In as much as you've done it to the least of these, you've done it to me. For there is a sense in which, after For there is a sense in which, after all, the church is itself Christ's body all, the church is itself Christ's body all, the church is itself Christ's body here on earth. here on earth. here on earth. Now, again, do not misunderstand me. Now, again, do not misunderstand me. Now, again, do not misunderstand me. Not for a moment am I trying to diminish Not for a moment am I trying to diminish Not for a moment am I trying to diminish the many biblical passages that do talk the many biblical passages that do talk the many biblical passages that do talk about the importance of being generous about the importance of being generous about the importance of being generous with respect to the poor generally.

with respect to the poor generally. with respect to the poor generally. There are a lot of biblical passages There are a lot of biblical passages There are a lot of biblical passages along those lines, but this isn't one of along those lines, but this isn't one of along those lines, but this isn't one of them. This is focusing on Christ's them. This is focusing on Christ's them. This is focusing on Christ's brothers and sisters, that is fellow brothers and sisters, that is fellow brothers and sisters, that is fellow Christians. The other little bit of Christians. The other little bit of Christians. The other little bit of detail that is very illuminating is detail that is very illuminating is detail that is very illuminating is this. this. this. Both the sheep and the goats are Both the sheep and the goats are Both the sheep and the goats are surprised by what Jesus says. surprised by what Jesus says. surprised by what Jesus says. Have you noticed that? Lord, Lord, Have you noticed that? Lord, Lord, Have you noticed that? Lord, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty? when did we see you hungry or thirsty? when did we see you hungry or thirsty? When did we see you a stranger and When did we see you a stranger and When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and invite you in or needing clothes and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you? They're both surprised. Both clothe you? They're both surprised. Both clothe you? They're both surprised. Both the sheep and the goats are surprised by the sheep and the goats are surprised by the sheep and the goats are surprised by Jesus words. Jesus words. Jesus words. Do you see? They are not surprised at Do you see? They are not surprised at Do you see? They are not surprised at the place assigned them. the place assigned them. the place assigned them. That's not what their surprise turns on. That's not what their surprise turns on. That's not what their surprise turns on. but at the reason that Jesus gives but at the reason that Jesus gives but at the reason that Jesus gives that is they didn't think that when they that is they didn't think that when they that is they didn't think that when they did do these things or in the sh case of did do these things or in the sh case of did do these things or in the sh case of the goats when they didn't do these the goats when they didn't do these the goats when they didn't do these things they were doing them or not doing things they were doing them or not doing things they were doing them or not doing them to Jesus that's what surprises them them to Jesus that's what surprises them them to Jesus that's what surprises them and now you see the point and now you see the point and now you see the point the the Christians don't see other the the Christians don't see other the the Christians don't see other Christians in need maybe in need for Christians in need maybe in need for Christians in need maybe in need for natural reasons in need in this natural reasons in need in this natural reasons in need in this congregation because of loss losses or congregation because of loss losses or congregation because of loss losses or hurt or lost jobs or whatever or in need hurt or lost jobs or whatever or in need hurt or lost jobs or whatever or in need because of persecution or violence or because of persecution or violence or because of persecution or violence or whatever the cause may be and they they whatever the cause may be and they they whatever the cause may be and they they don't stop and say, "Well, well, well, I don't stop and say, "Well, well, well, I don't stop and say, "Well, well, well, I got to get a few extra brownie points if

got to get a few extra brownie points if got to get a few extra brownie points if I do it to this brother or sister. I do it to this brother or sister. I do it to this brother or sister. Therefore, I'm doing it to Jesus." I I Therefore, I'm doing it to Jesus." I I Therefore, I'm doing it to Jesus." I I that's not the way any Christian thinks. that's not the way any Christian thinks. that's not the way any Christian thinks. No, no Christian starts saying, "I will No, no Christian starts saying, "I will No, no Christian starts saying, "I will be kind to my brothers and sisters in be kind to my brothers and sisters in be kind to my brothers and sisters in prison in a totalitarian regime and see prison in a totalitarian regime and see prison in a totalitarian regime and see if there's something I can do because I if there's something I can do because I if there's something I can do because I want to do it for Jesus." You do it want to do it for Jesus." You do it want to do it for Jesus." You do it because they're brothers and sisters. because they're brothers and sisters. because they're brothers and sisters. That is part of what shows you to be a That is part of what shows you to be a That is part of what shows you to be a Christian. Christian. Christian. And meanwhile, the goats likewise are And meanwhile, the goats likewise are And meanwhile, the goats likewise are not saying to themselves, "Well, I'm not not saying to themselves, "Well, I'm not not saying to themselves, "Well, I'm not going to do it because I want to stiff going to do it because I want to stiff going to do it because I want to stiff Jesus. I can't stand him. Don't want to Jesus. I can't stand him. Don't want to Jesus. I can't stand him. Don't want to have anything to do with him." And and have anything to do with him." And and have anything to do with him." And and and therefore, I won't have anything to and therefore, I won't have anything to and therefore, I won't have anything to do with them. No, they they they don't do with them. No, they they they don't do with them. No, they they they don't care about them. They're Christians. No care about them. They're Christians. No care about them. They're Christians. No concern of theirs. They're they're not concern of theirs. They're they're not concern of theirs. They're they're not thinking that what they're doing is thinking that what they're doing is thinking that what they're doing is actually an offense against Jesus actually an offense against Jesus actually an offense against Jesus himself. In other words, the surprise of both the In other words, the surprise of both the sheep and the goats turns precisely on sheep and the goats turns precisely on sheep and the goats turns precisely on the fact that the fact that the fact that Jesus is identified with his people and what we do towards other Christians, and what we do towards other Christians, we're doing toward him.

we're doing toward him. we're doing toward him. So we are to wait for the Lord Jesus as So we are to wait for the Lord Jesus as So we are to wait for the Lord Jesus as people whose lives are so transformed by people whose lives are so transformed by people whose lives are so transformed by the gospel that they unself-consciously the gospel that they unself-consciously the gospel that they unself-consciously serve brothers and sisters in Christ.