Morning Devotional 120621 Have You Become a Pirate?

Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room

December 6, 2021

Read Matthew 25:31-46

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.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who will receive terrible things. Go into the unending fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ 44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ 45 Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’ 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment. But the righteous ones will go into eternal life.”

Good Morning! What a great day to celebrate our Lord and Savior!

Pay attention! During this season of advent, be aware of your opportunities to be grouped among the sheep or the goats. A few weeks ago, I referenced this passage in another devotional message. Jesus taught by modeling during his time on the earth. He came to serve all who called Him, but especially the weak, the downtrodden, and the hopeless.

The Jewish leaders were very confused by Jesus. In their understanding, the Messiah would come and be “one” of them by hanging out in their homes and supporting them during worship. He would be one of the “in-crowd” just as they considered themselves. When Jesus appeared on the scene, moving among the unclean and the previously deemed unworthy, they rejected the idea that He was the Messiah. After all, they believed the Messiah would be a king based upon their earthly understanding of kings.

These Pharisees, Sadducees, and wealthy citizens did not want to have their belief system challenged. They liked being in charge. Who did this Jesus think he was, making the ordinary people feel as if they mattered? Jesus was turning the world, their world, upside down and they would have none of this craziness. Whoever heard of the last being first?

I remember in one adaptation of Peter Pan, Peter, a grownup, returns to visit Wendy, now an old woman. When Peter has no time to pay attention to his family but is obsessed with his job, Wendy exclaims, “Peter, you have become a pirate!” In Peter’s world, to be a pirate would equate to being grouped with the goats.

During this season of preparation for the birth of the Christ child, pay attention to those around you, care for those who cannot care for themselves. Join the sheep!

Creator God, Thank You for loving us. We have so many blessings. During this season of giving, remind us that there are those who need our love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Every day I will watch for Godly interruptions.

Love one another! Pastor Liz