By Dennis R. Smith 

 

In Matthew 25 the divine writer gives us a picture of our Lord’s expectations from all who would call themselves Christians.  It is imperative that we  “see Jesus” who is described  as “The Son of God” (Matt. 16:16).   In seeing him through the eye of faith,  the next step is to obey him.  This is done by making a response to the principles of salvation (Heb. 5:12).  This  includes faith, repentance, confession of Christ and  baptism for the remission of  sins (Acts 2:38).  It is commendable when one sees Jesus this way.  However, we cannot stop looking for him!  The Matthew text informs us that  there are other ways of seeing him.  When we see those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, and in prison and make some effort to assist them in their needs, Jesus verifies that we have seen him.  Of course, the other side of this coin is we see him not if we turn our heads to those in need and then let our opportunities “pass by on the other side” to use an expression from the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10).  The qualifications for heaven require that we “see the Lord” from all angles. The same thoughts are contained in the following: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2).  If we make it to heaven, it will be because we have “seen Jesus” both in obedience as well as in service  to others.