These last Sundays in the church year point us to the end of life and to the end of world. The sobering words of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that "it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). Today's Holy Gospel brings us face to face with judgment. The Son of Man who was crucified, raised from the dead, and ascended to the Father's right hand will return to judge the living and the dead. Out of all the nations, He will separate the sheep from the goats, the believers from the unbelievers will an infallible judgment.

Now we must ask what is the basis for this judgment? Is our Lord here teaching that we are going to be saved or damned on the basis of how we performed over against those who were in need? To come to a correct understanding of today's Holy Gospel, it is necessary to ask who are "the least of these my brethren"? Who does Jesus have in mind when he refers to His brethren?

Today's Holy Gospel is often interpreted in a generic way as a biblical admonition to show compassion and kindness to those in need. Now, it is surely true that Christians are to demonstrate the love of our Lord Jesus Christ in word and deed to all people. There are many biblical exhortations to this very point. For example, the Letter to the Hebrews tells us "do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (13:16). And the Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 6, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (6:10).These passages urge and exhort us to live Christ-like lives of service for the sake of the neighbor in need. But today's Gospel is not simply exhorting us to such living, as important as that is. Today's Gospel is not saying that whatever kind act you do for another is same as if you did it for Jesus. The term "brethren" or "brothers" is more specific than that.

At the very least, the terms "brothers" or "brethren" as they are used in the New Testament are terms meaning "fellow believer, fellow Christian." The writers of the New Testament often use this way of speaking as a way of identifying our relationship to each other within the body of Christ. In Christ we have His Father as our Father and that makes us all brothers. If we see our Lord's use of term "brethren" in our text in this light, then this Gospel would mean that whatever you do to help another Christian in need is done for Jesus Himself. It is surely true that whatever we do to aid and assist our fellow believers is done to the Lord Himself. By the water and the Word of Holy Baptism, Christ has joined us to His body, the church. In the Holy Supper He feeds us with the same heavenly food, His body and blood given and shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, whatever is done for a brother in the faith is done for Christ Himself, for He has made Himself one with His people.

But I would submit to you that this is not the primary meaning of today's Holy Gospel, for as you read the Gospel according to Matthew, you see that the evangelist uses the term "brethren, brothers" in an even more specific way. Matthew uses the term "brethren, brothers" as a designation for His apostles. For instance, in Matthew 28 the risen Lord Jesus tells Mary that she is to go and tell His brethren to go to Galilee where they will see Him. And when the 11 apostles arrive in Galilee, the Lord gives to them what we have come to know as the Great Commission, that is, that they are to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all things that the Lord has taught them.

In Matthew 24 Jesus speaks of how the Gospel will be preached to all nations and then the end will come. In Matthew 28 He mandates His brothers, that is, His apostles, to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching. And in today's Gospel our Lord speaks of all nations being gathered before His throne for judgment. The brothers of Jesus in this context are the apostles and preachers send out by the Lord to proclaim His kingdom.

In Matthew 10 the Lord Jesus said to His apostles and preachers, "He who receives you receives me." The apostles and the preachers who are sent with the Gospel which they preach, represent Christ. To hear them is to hear the Lord Himself. And to reject such a preacher is to reject Christ.

So then, what is Jesus saying in today's Gospel? He is saying to the nations: "I have sent to you my brethren, the apostles and servants of the Word. I have made them stewards of the mysteries of God. The words which they speak are not their own, but Mine. The sacraments which they administer are not theirs, but Mine. I have placed my words of life in their mouths. I have made their mouths and hands mine in order to pour out upon you the abundance of my grace and mercy."

"You on the right received them as my messengers and you heard and believed the message of life and salvation which they proclaimed to you. You believed my Gospel and you demonstrated it by the way in which you received my brothers and showed care for them. You may not have been aware of it, but whatever you did for these my brethren who spoke to you by my command, in my name and in my stead, you did it for Me." These on the right hand are the sheep of the Good Shepherd's pasture. They have heard and believed His words and now they follow Him into that blessed kingdom which was prepared for them before the foundation of the world.

On the other hand, there are the goats who are sent away into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. These are those who did not receive Christ's word. They rejected the servants sent to them by Christ. They rejected the preaching of the Gospel and so they despised and ignored the Lord's brethren, His servants. And so now Jesus, in effect, says to them, "You may not have been aware of it, but whatever you did against My servants who were acting faithfully on my behalf, you did against Me."

Today's Gospel, then, is not primarily about helping the poor and the needy - though we should always be engaged in these works of mercy. This text actually has to do with how we are to receive the Word which Christ's servants preach to us. It is not about earning salvation by being compassionate and kind. It is about faith which receives the Lord's Word and how that faith is then demonstrated very concretely in the life of the Christian congregation.

There is both warning and comfort in today's Holy Gospel. There is the warning for those who think that they can reject and mistreat Christ's servants who bring them the Gospel. Even the least and lowliest of those who preach the Gospel according to the mandate of our Lord are to be received as a brother of Christ. To reject them and their preaching is to reject the Lord Himself. But there is also a tremendous comfort in this passage, for those who receive Christ's servants and the Gospel which they proclaim, receive the Lord who suffered, died, and rose again for our salvation. "He who receives you receives Me," says Jesus. And to receive Jesus as He comes to us through the Gospel preached and the sacraments administered by His ministers is to receive His invitation, "Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus to life everlasting. Amen