SHEEP AND GOATS

Sheep are unique among animals.  They are gentle and don’t attack other animals.  They nibble grass without damaging it but above all they follow a shepherd.

In some ways goats are similar to sheep but they never follow a shepherd, neither is their diet pure.  I have seen them eating all sorts of horrible rubbish and of course goats are noted for their unpleasant smell.

The Lord Jesus said that in the day of judgement He would return to earth with His holy angels to separate all nations like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. [ See Matthew 25:32-46 ]  With loving words He put the good people whom He likened to sheep on His right hand but the bad people like goats, on His left hand.  Without realising it the good people had fed Jesus when He was hungry, given Him drink when He was thirsty, taken Him to their home when He was homeless, visited Him when He was sick.  These good people were amazed and said, “When did we do all this?!”  Then Jesus, calling Himself King replied, “When you were kind to them you were kind to me!”

Turning next to the wicked ones on His left hand Jesus said, “Depart from Me you cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and His angels.”  He then told them about all the kind things the good people had unconsciously done in the name of the Shepherd King but all the bad ways in which the goats had ignored and ill treated Him. 

Perhaps you enjoy singing, “The Lord’s my Shepherd” and are loving and following the Good Shepherd who died for your sins but who rose again so that you may have eternal life.  Or have you abandoned the green pastures and started feeding on rubbish and are heading for eternal punishment?!