Jim Leyland recalled a day when he was a young catcher invited to the Orioles minor league training camp. Manager Earl Weaver had watched him warm up pitchers for days before walking up to Leyland and saying, “Son, you need to go home and find another line of work.” Leyland’s response was, “It’s not a nice feeling to be told you’re not good enough.” That’s why I’ve always hated spring training because it seems like you’re always telling someone that they’re traded or cut or some other bad news. It breaks their heart, and there’s nothing you can say that gives them much consolation.”

Matthew 25 – Final Cut

One day, Jesus will make the most devastating and final cuts of all. He will forever separate those who don’t know him from His own team! He describes the scene in his third parable of Matthew 25. The Lord Jesus compared Himself to a shepherd sorting sheep from goats. When He returns, He will judge all the nations (gentiles), placing the “sheep” (those who accepted Him) on His right hand (the place of honor and blessing) and the “goats” (those who rejected him) on his left hand (the place of dishonor). Jesus will take His believing “sheep” into His kingdom and send the unbelieving “goats” into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and His angels. There is no other place for those who refuse His salvation.

Though this parable applies directly to a future day, it also applies today. Those who love Jesus love His people. They help His suffering people in all parts of the world. “His brothers” become our brothers, and we cannot deny our own. On “cutting day” in Jesus’ great spring training, will you find yourself on His team or separated from Him forever?

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete love God’s people and help suffering people in all parts of the world. They will never be cut from God’s team because they have placed their trust in faith in Christ!

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:32

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