Hospitality

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today's text confuses a lot of people, even a lot of Lutherans. It seems to be contradictory to everything else that we believe, teach, and confess. All that business about salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone – that looks like it gets chucked out the window with this passage. After all, the King is basing His judgment on the works done by those on His right and left. This seems to lend itself to the idea that you will be judged on the works you have done, whether you have done enough to merit the favor of the King.

The Church of Rome reads this discourse in just such a fashion. To them, this passage is all about hospitality that you must show to your neighbor. Your faith is formed by your love, which is worked out in your service to your neighbor. This passage is straightforward Law: do this, and go to heaven; fail, and go to hell. Salvation cannot possibly be grace through faith alone; Jesus commend these faithful for their works of hospitality and service.

Perception

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It has often been said that "perception is reality." Basically, how I perceive things to be is how they really are. If I think someone is a jerk, so be it. He is a jerk. It does not matter what else he does in life. It does not matter what anyone else says. My perception is my reality. Of course, we know this is not always true. Perception is not always reality. I perceive the world to be flat, therefore the world is flat. I perceive that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, therefore the sun must surely revolve around the earth. You can certainly argue with me and tell me that the world is round and that we orbit the sun and so on, but my perception is my reality. I think you are wrong! Nowadays, we would just have to "agree to disagree." Truly, perception is not always reality.

Keep Your Lamps Ready

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.” That is, the kingdom of heaven is like those who are turned out to meet the King when He comes, from every sort, every walk of life, all holding their lamps.

“Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.” In this assembly, all waiting for the Bridegroom, there are wise and there are foolish persons.

This is the nature of the Church on earth.

Sheep or Goat?

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When the Son of Man comes on the Last Day, He will come in all His glory, accompanied by the angels. He will come suddenly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. However, He will not come secretly. His coming will be no more hidden than lightning across the sky. Every eye shall see Him, and even the dead shall awake from their slumber. He will come on the clouds, surrounded by the heavenly host, and will take up His seat upon the throne of God to preside over the final judgment.

From the throne of glory, the Son of Man will judge the heavens and the earth, the living and the dead. He will separate one from another, as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. Make no mistake – this is not a parable. While the image of the sheep and the goats is a metaphor for the righteous and unrighteous, the sorting to take place is no metaphor, analogy, or allegory. The Son of Man will without doubt sort the righteous and unrighteous persons and send them to their eternal destinations.

God Gathers the Increase

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Restrain, O Lord, the human pride

That seeks to thrust Your truth aside

Or with some man-made thoughts or things

Would dim the words Your Spirit sings (LSB 585:5).

The kingdom of heaven is like a man preparing to go on a journey to a distant land. He calls three of his servants and gives them money – five, two, and one talent, each according to his ability. Then he goes off for a long sojourn. Finally, the master returns, and he calls the servants to present an account of what had been entrusted to them. Those with five and two both return them having doubled their money. However, the servant with one has nothing to show for his stewardship, because he simply hid it in a hole and did nothing with that which was entrusted to him. Therefore, the master welcomes the first two servants into bliss, but takes the talent away from the last, and has him thrown into the outer darkness.