Give To Social Concerns Series

Theme: Give to Social Concerns

Text: Matthew 25:31-46

1. Jesus the Judge (Matthew 25:31-33)

This is the little apocalypse and Olivet discourse, found in three gospels (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 & Luke 21. The description of the figurative speech of King and Shepherd recalls the role of David who was a shepherd turned into a King. This is not the great white throne Judgement (Revelation 20:11-15). The white throne is in heaven but this is on earth. This is at the end of great tribulation (Matthew 24:21), After the rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17),

Jesus has declared that he is a good shepherd. A shepherd who gave his life for the salvation of the sheep. He is such a shepherd that he lays his life for the benefit of the sheep. He was not a shepherd who lost his life to the power of the lion who devours the sheep. If the shepherd has died, then the Lion will triumph over the sheep and he could eat every sheep on daily basis. He was not the shepherd who died and went to save the sheep. But he was the shepherd who died and rose again to save the sheep. He was not a defeated, weak and vulnerable shepherd but a powerful eternal shepherd.

At the last, he could bring both the Sheep and the Goats on the same platform for Judgement. In the judgment scene, God has dramatically explained it. The shepherd who turned into a judge puts the Sheep on his right and the Goats on his left. Those who accept Christ are sheep and those who reject are goats. God has said that all the nations gathered and all the people are separated as Sheep and goats. All the nations – Islamic nations, middle east countries Communist countries, African nations, western unions, Southeast Asians, and all islands. With the separation of one individual from another, Jesus likens himself to a shepherd who separates his flock of sheep from the goats who are grazing in the same pasture. The sheep receive the place of honor and inherit God’s kingdom (25:34), and the Goat is thrown into the place of condemnation.

2. Sheep and Goats

Susan Schoenian, a sheep and goat specialist at the University of Maryland points out the following differences in the physical and behavioural differences between Goats and sheep.

1. Goats have 60 chromosomes but sheep have 54. (Humans have 46 chromosomes.)

2. A goat's tail usually points up (unless it is frightened or sick) whereas a sheep's tail hangs down and is often shortened.

3. Goats are independent and naturally curious but sheep prefer to flock together and are more aloof.

4. Goats' coats do not require shearing or combing but a sheep's woolly coat will continue growing unless it is sheared.

5. Goats have horns but many breeds of sheep are hornless. Goat horns are narrow and straight; sheep horns curl around in loops on the side of their heads.

Sheep and its Characters (Matthew 25:34-40)

The people who stood on the right hand of the Shepherd are Blessed, have inheritance, and the righteous. They were people who did many little things to the little ones who are not accounted for, who are not counted at all, and who can’t repay anything to the donors. Therefore, the shepherd Judge invited them with the stretched arms with a great smile with the words “COME.”

Goats and its Characters (Matthew 25:41-46)

But the people who stood on the left hand of the Shepherd are cursed, have part with the devil and his angels in an eternal fire, and they are neither wicked nor good but neutral, they never took. They were people who did not do any little things to the little ones who are not accounted for, who are not counted at all, and who can’t repay anything to the donors. Therefore, the shepherd Judge sent them away downhearted with the words “Depart from me.”

3. Deeds of Mercy

Nations and their people are judged for what they have done and failed to do. The good deeds are six: “Feeding the hungry, quenching the thirsty, hosting the strangers, distributing clothes to the naked, caregivers of the sick, and visiting the prisoners.” These are the works of Mercy. Jesus did not mention preaching, he does not refer to ministries of various kinds but to all social concerns and causes. Does God refer to social actions and social works rather than spiritual activities? God is concerned about both. The followers of Christ are expected to carry out the works of the Mercy.

Individually and corporately, we are called to help those in need. We are responsible to provide the shadow of the Almighty (1 Samuel 25:29), and we cannot ignore the plight of human beings suffering hunger, thirst, nakedness, homelessness, sickness, or imprisonment. Our earnings belong to us, our dependents, and all those who are in need near and far. We also work in order to give something to those in need (Hebrews 13:1-3). The donation of time, money, and supplies to the church’s mercy ministry is an act of love for Jesus. Our profession of faith is invalid if we are not engaged in these or other similar activities. The God of the Charity expects his children to be people of charity.