Morning Devotional 011526 Sheep or Goats

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

January 15, 2026

Matthew 25:31-40

31 “Now when the Human One comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left. 34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. 35 I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 36 I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’ 

Good Morning! Treat everyone you meet as a child of God!

God blesses and curses us with a highly-functioning brain. We see and discern so many things in the course of a day. Each minute is filled with stimuli that allow us to gather a plethora of data. 

Think of your childhood. By engaging our senses, we learn what we can touch and what we can’t. The more experiences we are presented with, the more detailed our discernment. For example, let’s consider a box of crayons. That first box of eight crayons is delightful and we are satisfied with our choices. Then the number doubles or triples, and we have more variety from which to choose, we become pickier. Having a green crayon just won’t do; we need a pine green or an olive green one. 

This process allows our brains to multiply and grow at a phenomenal rate. Before we know it, we have a storehouse of data that automatically engages when we approach new experiences. For all that is good in this process, this is also where our judgment develops. 

Using the same logic as choosing a crayon, we pick and choose those with whom we will associate. We avoid the dingy, broken crayons and choose the ones with clean wrappers and a chiseled point. 

When the Good Samaritan chose to help the injured stranger on the side of the road, he saw someone in need of help, not a gnarly-looking stranger. When looking into our communities, we must set aside our preconceived notions and view the world through the eyes of love as Jesus taught us to do. 

Only then will we be among the sheep on our judgment day. 

Redeeming Lord, you bless us abundantly! Judging others comes so automatically for us. Help us see beyond the outer coverings to what lies within others. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: With open arms, welcome those who need to be fed.

Put aside earthly standards and see as Christ sees. Pastor Liz