Sheep and Goats (Matthew 24-25)

There are some great passages in Chapters 24 and 25 but what really caught my eye this time as I read them was the final part of Chapter 25. In this Chapter vs 31-46 talk about The Final Judgement. Jesus divides the human race into 2 distinct groups, Sheep and Goats. The Sheep are welcomed into the peace and rest of heaven and eternity with God. The Goats, however, are placed into eternal separation from God, forever removed from His love and mercy. At the end of our time on Earth, we will be identified with one of these 2 groups. It may not always be easy for us to recognize Sheep from Goats but God knows. 

Sheep are mentioned throughout the Bible. One of the most important things about sheep are their need for and dependence on a shepherd and also each other. Sheep are not self sufficient and they do not live out their life in isolation. They thrive in the midst of a flock of sheep who are under the care and guidance of a skilled shepherd. The Bible encourages believers to be part of a flock and great emphases is placed on relationships with others. 

"Some Christians try to go to heaven alone, in solitude. But believers are not compared to bears or lions or other animals that wander alone. Those who belong to Christ are sheep in this respect, that they love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God’s people.” Charles Spurgeon

As Jesus separates the sheep and the goats, he makes his distinction based on the presence or absence of a relationship. The litmus test of a relationship with Jesus becomes tied to how we serve Him by our relationships with others.  This is what Jesus will say to his sheep:

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”

(25:34-36 )

Jesus will put people in our paths with needs. In fact, all around us are people with needs. An important question to ask is ‘What do we do with the resources Jesus gives us?’ Do we intentionally put those resources to good on behalf of others? Do we utilize our abilities, talents, time and finances for the genuine good of others? Do we extend financial or material help as we are able? Do we extend spiritual guidance and emotional support?  Do we extend the love and knowledge of Jesus to others?

If we have the love of Jesus in our hearts, we will naturally want to extend that love in service to others. “ 

Jesus knows his sheep. He knows their dependence on Him. He knows their services towards each other? When they stand before Him at the Final Judgement he will acknowledge that they knew Him too. “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

What are the loyalties of your heart? Does the love of Jesus manifest in genuine concern and action to support others? Which group will you be placed in on that Final Judgement Day? 

Unawares by Emma A Lent

They said, "The Master is coming
To honor the town to-day,
And none can tell at what house or home
The Master will choose to stay."
And I thought while my heart beat wildly,
What if He should come to mine,
How would I strive to entertain
And honor the Guest Divine!

And straight I turned to toiling
To make my house more neat;
I swept, and polished, and garnished.
And decked it with blossoms sweet.
I was troubled for fear the Master
Might come ere my work was done,
And I hasted and worked the faster,
And watched the hurrying sun.

But right in the midst of my duties
A woman came to my door;
She had come to tell me her sorrows
And my comfort and aid to implore,
And I said, "I cannot listen
Nor help you any, to-day;
I have greater things to attend to."
And the pleader turned away.

But soon there came another—
A cripple, thin, pale and gray—
And said, "Oh, let me stop and rest
A while in your house, I pray!
I have traveled far since morning,
I am hungry, and faint, and weak;
My heart is full of misery,
And comfort and help I seek."

And I cried, "I am grieved and sorry,
But I cannot help you to-day.
I look for a great and noble Guest,"
And the cripple went away;
And the day wore onward swiftly—
And my task was nearly done,
And a prayer was ever in my heart
That the Master to me might come.

And I thought I would spring to meet Him,
And serve him with utmost care,
When a little child stood by me
With a face so sweet and fair—
Sweet, but with marks of teardrops—
And his clothes were tattered and old;
A finger was bruised and bleeding,
And his little bare feet were cold.

And I said, "I'm sorry for you—
You are sorely in need of care;
But I cannot stop to give it,
You must hasten otherwhere."
And at the words, a shadow
Swept o'er his blue-veined brow,—
"Someone will feed and clothe you, dear,
But I am too busy now."

At last the day was ended,
And my toil was over and done;
My house was swept and garnished—
And I watched in the dark—alone.
Watched—but no footfall sounded,
No one paused at my gate;
No one entered my cottage door;
I could only pray—and wait.

I waited till night had deepened,
And the Master had not come.
"He has entered some other door," I said,
"And gladdened some other home!"
My labor had been for nothing,
And I bowed my head and I wept,
My heart was sore with longing—
Yet—in spite of it all—I slept.

Then the Master stood before me,
And his face was grave and fair;
"Three times to-day I came to your door,
And craved your pity and care;
Three times you sent me onward,
Unhelped and uncomforted;
And the blessing you might have had was lost,
And your chance to serve has fled."

"O Lord, dear Lord, forgive me!
How could I know it was Thee?"
My very soul was shamed and bowed
In the depths of humility.
And He said, "The sin is pardoned,
But the blessing is lost to thee;
For comforting not the least of Mine
You have failed to comfort Me