Series: When Does It End? [#12]
SHEEP OR GOAT?
Matthew 25:31-46
Introduction:
The Lord Jesus ends His Olivet Discourse with a parable about the end of The Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom. He predicts the destiny of 2 groups of people- Sheep and goats. Jesus insists there will be a Day of Judgment for nations as well as people. This judgment is somehow linked to the way we treat people. In the parable of the 10 Virgins, we were exposed to saving faith. In the parable of the talents we were exposed to serving faith. Now we are exposed to sacrificial faith.
Matthew 25:31-33 (NIV)
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
A time for…
1. Judgment.
Bible scholars argue about this judgment. It says that the nations will be gathered before Him. Some believe that each person will be judged on the basis of their nationality. They believe that each person will be judged based on how their country behaved. This is not true. This is the judgment of people who lived on this Earth after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Each person will stand individually before God and be judged.
We need to notice that Jesus separates the sheep from the goats; not the sheep from the wolves. The sheep are those who are born again believers in Jesus Christ. The goats are those who claimed to be saved; but are not.
Matthew 25:34-36, 41-43 (NIV)
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
A time for…
2. The real test.
The interesting thing about this is that Jesus is clearly saying that the ultimate mark of an authentic Christian is not his creed, or his faith, or his Bible knowledge; but the concern which he shows to those who are in need. The practical demonstration of love is the final proof. Notice, that Jesus does not ask anyone to present his case or argue his cause. He asks no questions nor requests any evidence. He simply extends to this 1 group the invitation, "‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world." Then He explains the basis of His choice. He has simply noted that when they had opportunity to help someone in need, they did it. Nothing more is required. We need to notice that Jesus identifies Himself with those in need. If you help them, you are helping Jesus.
The seriousness of this matter of helping the needy is seen in the severity of the Lord's words here. "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Remember, these people honestly think they are sheep. They can point to the time they made a profession of belief. They might be people who are in good standing with the Church.
Matthew 25:37-39, 44-46 (NIV)
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
A time for…
3. A surprise.
The reaction of both the sheep and the goats to the Lord's words is 1 of surprise. It is evident that both groups expected a different basis of judgment. As they were being divided into 1 group or another, they thought they knew the reason for the choice. Surely the sheep would feel that the basis was that of faith. Remember, not 1 person is given the chance to say a word. The issue is already settled. Each person is simply told to which group they belong. The issue is about faith. The sheep are asked to take their place on the right hand of the throne because all through their lives their genuine faith has been producing fruit of good works.
I am sure that the goats did what they thought were good works as well; but they were doing them for their reward on earth, not their reward in Heaven. The value of the works is based on the motive- Who did you do the works for.
Conclusion:
Those who are sheep will spend eternal life in Heaven and those who are goats will spend eternal punishment in Hell.
