Part 3
Series: Faithfully Following — Living Ready for His Return
Before we get into it, let’s pause and remember where we are in Jesus’ story.
In Matthew 24, Jesus called His followers to be ready for His return. Then, in Matthew 25:31–46, He paints this vivid, holy picture—the parable of the sheep and the goats. It’s one of those moments that brings everything into focus: true readiness isn’t just what we believe—it’s how we love.
And so, as we keep walking through this Faithfully Following series, we come back to the same grounding question:
Are we truly ready for Christ’s return?
We Notice Need — But Do We Respond?
If we’re honest, it’s easier to look away than to engage.
It’s easier to scroll past, assume someone else will help, or convince ourselves compassion is for people with “more time.”
But Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25 reminds us of something uncomfortable and beautiful:
Faith was never meant to stay comfortable.
What We Reach For Reveals What We Treasure
Here’s a simple truth I’ve learned over the years:
our hands drift toward what our hearts treasure.
If you love something, you reach for it.
You hold it.
You protect it.
You care for it.
That’s exactly what Jesus is showing us in Matthew 25:31–46 —
a faith that doesn’t just speak love, but shows it.
A faith that doesn’t stay in our heads, but moves through our hands.
Faith That Shows Up
When Jesus describes the Son of Man returning in glory, He paints a striking scene: sheep and goats separated, not by title or success, but by compassion.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)
The sheep didn’t earn salvation by serving — they revealed it.
Their compassion was evidence of hearts transformed by grace.
And the goats?
They weren’t condemned for doing something terrible — but for doing nothing at all.
For walking past need and convincing themselves it wasn’t their problem.
That’s the quiet danger of neglect — it numbs us to love.
Compassion Over Neglect
This isn’t about adding more to your to-do list.
It’s about letting your faith move from your head to your hands.
Because when Jesus said,
“As you did it to one of the least of these… you did it to Me,”
He was reminding us that our love for Him is inseparable from our love for others.
The “least of these” might look different in your world —
- your tired coworker,
- your overwhelmed friend,
- your neighbor who keeps to themselves,
- or the one who tests your patience,
- your kids on their hardest day,
- person in line ahead of you,
- the face you’ve stopped really seeing.
To choose compassion over neglect is to notice again.
To slow down enough to serve.
To let love inconvenience you a little.
Because love that costs you nothing
probably isn’t costing you enough.
Faith That Gets Its Hands Dirty
Friend, real faith is rarely neat.
It kneels down to pick up burdens.
It wipes away tears.
It shows up in small, unseen ways that only Jesus may notice.
It’s sharing your table.
Sending the text.
Praying for the one who hurt you.
Listening instead of judging.
When we live like this, service stops feeling like an obligation and starts looking like imitation — because it reflects the heart of the One who served us first.
Because when grace takes root,
compassion becomes the fruit.
Rooted Reflection
Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 are both challenging and comforting.
They remind us that our faith isn’t meant to stay theoretical—it’s meant to touch lives.
So ask yourself this week:
- Who is God placing in front of me to love?
- Where have I grown numb to need?
- What would it look like to let compassion lead?
This is what it means to faithfully follow Him—to love in a way that points back to the cross.
Because when we serve others, we aren’t just doing good deeds.
We’re meeting Jesus in disguise.
And once more, that same question whispers to our hearts:
Are we truly ready for Christ’s return?
A Prayer for the Week
Jesus, open my eyes to see people the way You do.
Help me notice the needs I’ve walked past and respond with grace.
Make my hands willing, my heart tender, and my faith active.
May my love for You overflow in love for others.
Amen.
“When grace takes root, compassion becomes the fruit.”
— Brooke Suzette
Next in the Series
Faithfully Following — The Series Wrap-Up: Living Ready for His Return
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