Midweek Echo
Midweek Echo is a simple reminder of Sunday’s message—something to help you recall what you heard, reflect on what it means, and live it out through the week. It’s a way to stay rooted in God’s Word, remembering that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NIV).
The Character of the Kingdom (bleSs Series - Serve with Love)
Matthew 25:31–46; Isaiah 58:6–8
Have you ever prepared for an exam, only to discover that you studied the wrong things? You thought you knew what mattered, but the questions were not what you expected.
There is something of that surprise in Jesus’ teaching about the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. Jesus describes the day when he will return in glory and all people will stand before him. Both those welcomed into the kingdom and those turned away are surprised by what the King reveals.
Both ask essentially the same question: “Lord, when did we see you?”
The King speaks of remarkably ordinary things: feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, clothing those in need, caring for the sick, and visiting prisoners. These seemingly small acts carry extraordinary significance because Jesus identifies himself with those who receive them.
But the passage also carries a sobering warning. Those turned away are not accused of causing hunger, sickness, or suffering. Their failure was in what they neglected to do. They encountered human need and left it unanswered.
Jesus is not teaching that we earn salvation by accumulating enough good deeds. Salvation is God's gift of grace, received through faith. Yet genuine faith bears fruit. Our treatment of others reveals something about our relationship with Christ and the character of the kingdom to which we belong.
Throughout Matthew 24-25, Jesus calls his disciples to be watchful, prepared, and faithful as they await his return. Here he reminds them that readiness is not simply watching the horizon. It is living faithfully in the meantime.
This is also where serving becomes a witness. When we respond to others with compassion, generosity, and practical care, we reflect the character of Jesus and make his love visible in everyday life.
We may never fully recognize the significance of a meal shared, a stranger welcomed, or a person comforted. But Jesus does.
The question is not simply whether we have avoided doing wrong, but whether our lives reflect the character of the King we claim to follow.
Prayer: Almighty God, help our lives to reflect to whom we belong, so that our care for others bears faithful witness to you. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Pastor Steve Johnson - October 21, 2026