This passage about separating the sheep and the goats, about putting your faith into action, about treating ‘the least of these’ like the king of all Heaven and Earth. It’s a beautiful if challenging passage and while I’ve written out a child-friendly version, it’s one of the passages that you could easily have your older kids read straight from scripture.
This retold version of the Bible passage is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.
Main Passage : Matthew 25
Jesus was teaching his followers about what would happen in the future. He had asked them to be prepared, he had asked them to use their talents wisely, and he had one more big instruction.
“One day everyone will be separated.” said Jesus, looking around his followers. “Have you seen the shepherd in the fields, they sort the animals putting the sheep to the right and the goats to the left, people will be separated just like that.
“The king will turn to those on his right and say, “Come, join me in my kingdom.
“Come good servants for when I was hungry, you fed me, when I was thirsty, you gave me a drink, when I was a stranger you welcomed me. You clothed me when I was naked, cared for me when I was sick and visited me when I was in prison.”
The people on the king’s right will look confused, when did they feed the king? When did they welcome him as a stranger or care for him when sick?
The king will smile at the confusion and with great joy tell those on his right, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Then the king will turn to those on his left.
Leave here bad servants for when I was hungry, you didn’t feed me, when I was thirsty, you didn’t give me a drink, when I was a stranger you didn’t welcome me. You gave me no clothes when I was naked, no care when I was sick, and no visits when I was in prison.”
The crowd will protest. They had never seen the king hungry or thirsty, naked or sick, a stranger or in prison.
The king will turn in anger at them. “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did not do for me.”
Jesus looked at his friends, did they understand? They were not supposed to just serve Jesus but serve each other as if every person they met was Jesus. They could believe in Jesus’ words, but they needed to act on them too.
