Matthew 25:34-40 - I was hungry and you fed me

25:34-36

At the judgement the king commends those on His right, the sheep, saying their inheritance is ready for them. We should also note that it was prepared “since the creation of the world”. God’s plan was made long, long ago, and has not changed. What are they commended for? Feeding the hungry, helping the stranger, clothing the naked, tending the sick and visiting those in prison. It might seem that they are earning salvation, but this is not the case. This is what those who are blessed by God do. It is also what we are to do in preparation for the return of the King.

25:37-40

The “righteous”. Jesus is emphasising the characteristics God wants to find in His faithful people. The righteous did not realise what they were doing. They certainly did not see it as a way of earning salvation! They just got on with being what they were meant to be. They were living kingdom life. They did not feed the hungry thinking “this will put me right with God”. Rather they just fed them because they were hungry. The King then tells them that whatever they did for these people, they did for the King.