Misinterpreting Matthew 25

Matthew 25:31-46 is often quoted to motivate Christian involvement in 'social issues' (such as poverty, homelessness, and so forth).

I believe Christians should work for the common good in the cities we find ourselves in, to be clear (following the example provided in Jeremiah 29:7). But Matthew 25 is about a judgment of the nations in light of their treatment of Jesus' disciples (the 'least of these... my brothers [and presumably sisters]' is what Jesus says). The parables of judgment are primarily about judgment on unrepentant Israel, ultimately centered around the destruction of the Temple (cf. e.g. Mark 13). The trampling of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple of course goes hand in hand with 'fleeing to the hills'--with the scattering of the disciples (who will nevertheless be 'gathered' in God's providential care). The judgment of the nations (NOT the 'final judgment'--notice there's no mention made of resurrection in this passage) in Matthew 25 is thus Jesus' way of comforting his disciples--suggesting that they will still be in God's providential care.

Christians miss this, in my opinion, because they are taught to think 'final judgment' every time they read 'judgment'. But of course the biblical text is far richer (and far vaguer) than that. Many judgments are conceived of historically (read Isaiah, Jeremiah, or even Jesus on the Temple) and are rendered symbolically in prophecy.

Just had to get that out there, after reading the 1,001st misuse of this passage online.
[Further reading: Andrew Perriman's The Coming of the Son of Man]

Peace.