February 10th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

IN CHRIST LOVE ONE ANOTHER  

Matthew 25:34-40 “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. 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, 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.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.’” 

It would seem from Jesus’ words that when you stand before Him on the last day and are judged, His judgement rendered toward you will be based upon you having done good works. Lacking good works, Jesus will be left with no choice but to condemn you. 

This is not what Jesus is saying in today’s devotional verses. As you stand before Him, He will be looking into your heart to see what your relationship is with Him. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned are acts that flow from your love of Jesus He has put into your heart. It is Jesus who said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) On the last day Jesus will be looking for His disciples. He will be separating those to His right who believe in Him, love Him and love others because His love is in their hearts. John wrote it this way, “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:9) 

Prayer: Thank You Jesus for Your love for me and for all people. Even as You have loved me cause me to love others for Your sake. In Your holy name I pray this. Amen. 

Love in Christ is strong and living,
Binding faithful hearts in one;  
Love in Christ is true and giving,
May His will in us be done. 

Love is patient and forbearing,
Clothed in Christ’s humility,  
Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring,
Reaching out in charity. 

Love in Christ abides forever,
Fainting not when ills attend;  
Love, forgiving and forgiven,
Shall endure until life’s end.  

Love in Christ Is Strong and Living // LSB 706

Text: © 1979 Concordia Publishing House. Used by Permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110000198