Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 10 of “Fan or Follower – Finish Strong!”  (CLICK HERE).

Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 

What are you doing today?  Perhaps just two days away from Thanksgiving, your day is filled with wrapping up tasks at work, stopping by the store for meal items, or getting ready to travel to visit family.  Each of these tasks takes preparation and effort to be ready…getting your work done, planning your meal, or thinking through what you need while you are gone.  Yet, we do what is needed to be ready for the day ahead.

But what would happen if Jesus showed up in the sky in all his glory?

How would you react?

“Jesus!  Wow, I didn’t expect you today.  I didn’t think you’d be back for a long time yet.”

“Jesus! Is that really you?  I figured I had time to get my life straightened out.”

“Jesus! This can’t be real.  The Bible is just a fairy tale.

“Jesus! I’ve been hoping today would be the day for a long time!”

Not sure how you would react?  The prophet Daniel gives us a little more description of the day:

Daniel 7:9 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.

His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.

His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him.

Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.

The court was seated, and the books were opened.

What would you be thinking at “the books” were opened?

Would your name be in there?  What would be noted next to it?  Would “the court” determine you could come to heaven or would the judgment be much more severe?

Standing before the Son of Man with an open book is terrifying if I don’t know what is in the book.  

But what if I did?

Jesus gives an insight to what options are in the book.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 

The group on Jesus’ right had hearts of faith in him that lives that were lived for him.  They were lives not lived to create “check marks” of faith, but one’s that simply flowed from a heart of faith.  Those on Jesus’ right simply lived a life of love in the shadow of God’s love shown to them.  When they saw someone to serve, they served them.  The king recognized hearts of faith living lives of faith in love to those around.

More tomorrow…but for today, be connected to your Savior and let his love live in you and through you…and if Jesus comes today…great!

Apply: What opportunities do I have to show the love of Jesus to people around me today?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for promising to return and helping me be prepared.  Keep me close to your love and focused on showing your love each and every day! AMEN.