On one hand we find the Son of Man with his angels, the blessed righteous and on the other, the devil and his angels, the accursed and the destiny prepared for them. Like the New testament in general, Matthew has been very restrained in picturing what actually happens when the Son of Man returns. This is the only scene with any details describing the last judgment in the New Testament. In this passage the basis by which we are judged is not confession of faith in Christ. The ones cast into the darkness openly declare Jesus as Lord, yet they are excluded from the kingdom regardless.
Nothing is said of grace, justification or the forgiveness of sins.
What counts, in this passage, is whether one has acted out of love for those in need. These aren t extra points we ve earned or optional accessories. In the final judgment, Jesus tells us in this passage, what will matter is how we ve treated one another. So where does this passage leave us in a faith tradition that is founded upon the grace of God, an all encompassing grace and love that is unconditional, that has no strings attached. This passage leaves us out in the dark, holding a Kingdom Bucks statement to see if we ve earned enough points to get free passage through the pearly gates, which, in the final accounting, to be honest none of us will ever have, no matter how hard we try.