Christ and the Last Judgment in St. Matthew by Pastor Walter Snyder Q: During this morning's quiet time, I encountered a question on Matthew 25:31-46, about the sheep and the goats. Jesus rewards to "sheep" who, among other things, have given water, food, or shelter to "one of the least of these brothers of mine." He sent the "goats" towards eternal punishment as they have not done so "for one of the least of these." I am quite sure that salvation is through faith in God and His grace, so this passage could not be a warning to us about the "danger" of not giving to one of the least of the brothers. However, I could not fully comprehend this passage. Can you shed some light on its interpretation? A: Before an answer, please indulge a couple comments. First, "quiet time" is an excellent practice, yet something that many people have forgotten how to do. Regular Bible study, prayer, and devotion reading and meditation are vital parts of the Christian life. Second, your question reminds me just how far "Ask the Pastor" reaches. Local and out-of-town readers of the ~Concordian~ are joined by others like you, who read these words on the internet. My home in Emma and yours in Singapore are thousands of miles apart and vastly different in culture, yet we are joined by faith in Christ. It amazes and humbles me when I realize how wide- spread are these words and it encourages me to give my best to each answer. As for your question, you are correct. Salvation is God's free gift. However, true good works are a sign of the forgiveness and new life belonging to the believer. They are fruits of the Holy Ghost. Their absence indicates that all is not well in a person's faith life. As James 2:14-17 says, "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." St. Paul reminds us of both the free gift and the purpose of our salvation in Ephesians 2:8-10. First he tells us that we are saved "by grace" and that this is "through faith." This new life is intended to be one of living in grace by doing good works, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." ONLINE EXTRA: Pastor Bradley Drew of Metairie, Louisiana sent some comments on this passage. I share the following with his permission. ---begin quote Dear Brother, And might I add about the Mt.25 passage--it teaches salvation by grace. It is the goats who have their hand open, demanding payment: Lord, when were You sick and we didn't care for you, in prison and didn't visit, hungry and a stranger, etc., and did NOT minister to you. The sheep are the ones who confess to only sins...."When....when.....when?" What you wrote is so very true and faithful. And thank you so much for it. I love receiving ATP! Just thought I had to point out that those who would use Mt.25 to scold sinners into doing good works--or else!--are actually lining people up with the goats on the Last Day. ---end quote Q: To whom does Matthew 24:30 refer? It seems that Jesus either means all the people on earth or all the tribes of the land, which could be a reference to the 12 tribes of Israel. A: Christ here speaks in global terms. "Tribes" not only stands for the fullness of the nations, but especially for the unbelievers around the world. This picture of the Last Judgment contrasts "all the tribes of the earth," who "will mourn" when they "see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven," with the believers. These are the ones mentioned in the following words, when Christ "will send out His angels," who will "gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." The tribes are those whose earthly families and relationships stand above a faith relationship with Christ and His family, the Church. To Ask the Pastor, please write Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send email to askthepastor@aol.com. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe." Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2002 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others.