Dr. Bradford Reaves
CrossWay Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD
www.mycrossway.org
We are now looking at the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats found in Matthew 25. It is important to remember that this parable is the conclusion of a single sermon that Jesus delivered and is recorded in Matthew chapters 24 and 25. It is a sermon concerning the issue of the last days and the Lord's Second Coming. I've said many times that a critical element of the gospel includes the return of Christ. And when Christ returns, we know that he will establish his throne on earth and among the first things that he will do from that throne is judge the nations.
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats is the illustration of the judgment that will take place. As you know, and through my teaching, parables are not truths in of themselves, nor are they moral stories. They are visual illustrations cast alongside a truth in order for you to see and understand a truth more clearly. This is crucial for us to understand as we study this parable this week and next.
It is one of the most challenging and provocative parables that Jesus taught. It is found in Matthew 25:31-46, and it describes the final judgment of all the nations, when the Son of Man will separate the righteous from the unrighteous, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The criterion for this separation is not based on church attendance, theological knowledge or moral purity, but on how one responded to ‘the least of these’: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. Now, it is easy to assume based on this judgment, that Jesus is teaching that salvation is determined by works. That is not what this parable is teaching. So we need to go into this understanding the doctrine of salvation, which is that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. So it is important as we study this parable that we have a good understanding of God's Word and have a good grasp on sound biblical doctrine. So with that, we will handle these words carefully.
Nevertheless, this parable is a sober warning about the consequences of our actions, and a careful invitation to follow the example of Jesus, who identified himself with the least of these, and who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. In this sermon, we will explore the meaning and the implications of this parable, and how it calls us to live as faithful disciples of Christ in a broken and needy world.
Now, before we get into the exegesis of this passage, it is important to be reminded of a few things. Matthew 24 & 25 is a sermon in response to the question of when Jesus will return and what will be the signs. In his response, the Lord lists a various number of signs, such as, deceptions, false Christs, wars, earthquakes, celestial events, famines, Lawlessness, and apostasies. Jesus also reminded his disciples that the day and the hour of his return will remain unknown. Nobody knows the hour and the intent of that is repeated throughout the sermon and the parables and the sermon. That intent is why we must remain ready.
The purpose of the sermon, is to emphasize the necessity of the believer to be steadfast and awaiting the return of the Lord. That is the mark of a true believer. So, this sermon serves as a warning, just as the Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids was intended to warn you to be ready until the King comes. The reason for that warning is that when the King comes, there is going to be judgment. The fruit In that judgment is what we are looking at today.
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament place tremendous emphasis on judgment. Not only in the prophets of the Old Testament, or the book of acts, or the epistles, or the Book of Revelation, it's also in the gospels. And if you remember, jesus concludes his sermon on the mount with sobering words,
“22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22–23)
Similarly, Jesus concludes this sermons also with sobering words, Matthew 25:41 “41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” The reason for this warning, is the compassion and love the Lord has that none should perish. Love warns. That's a basic expression of love. A cold, uncompassionate, heartless person is indifferent to warn. That's not what the Lord is doing.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 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, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 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.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46)
The parable begins with a vivid description of the scene of judgment, in which the Son of Man, in his glory, sits on his throne, and all the angels and all the nations are gathered before him. He then proceeds to separate them into two groups, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep are placed on his right hand, and the goats on his left. The right hand is a symbol of honor, favor, and blessing, while the left hand is a symbol of dishonor, rejection, and curse. The sheep represent the righteous, and the goats represent the unrighteous based on the fruit of their lives. With that, let us examine the words of this parable:
I. The Coming Righteous Judge
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. (Matthew 25:31 (ESV)
First of all, we see Jesus painting an image of a future event. He says, “when the son of man comes...”. He is talking about an event that had not taken place when he taught this to his disciples and has yet to take place today. He's talking about an event that will certainly happen. He's talking about a prophetic event that we call the Second Coming of Christ and need for our readiness for that arrival.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3 (ESV)
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. (Revelation 22:12 (ESV)
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. (James 5:7)
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42 (ESV)
Now, we also know that the first part of the second coming is the rapture of the church, during which the earth will be in during the seven-year tribulation. The tribulation., according to daniel, is to be 1260 days or 3 1/2 years, but Daniel says the establishment of the Kingdom will be in 1335 days. So there are 75 days from the end of the tribulation to the establishment of the Kingdom in Daniel's prophecy. In those days we often ask the question what will happen?
One answer, is that this is the time of the renovation of the world. 2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”
Another answer is that this will be part of the time when the nations are gathered to the throne of Christ. We know that Christ sets up his physical throne in Jerusalem. And among the 1st order of business is his ultimate judgment.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18)
For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, (John 5:22)
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: (2 Timothy 4:1)
What we do know is that there is a designated time in the near future that these events will certainly happen. And when it does happen everything will be revealed. Every heart and thought of man will be brought out as the books are open. When he comes in his glory, to set up his earthly millennial kingdom he will make judgment about who goes into that Kingdom and who is shut out of it. And since the Kingdom is the only thing that will exist on earth, those who are judged as righteous will enter into that Kingdom and those who are not are sent to everlasting punishment.
This is the message of the gospel. It is an amazing and incredible truth that is still quite a mystery. For the believer it is tremendous hope. For the lost it is a time to be dreaded. As Christ judges, he will judge with full righteousness. It will be perfect and true. It will be final.
and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels (2 Thessalonians 1:7)
Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:15–17)
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:7)
On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. (Zechariah 14:4)
II. The Subjects of Christ’s Judgement
32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
So now we look to answer, who are the subjects of Christ’s judgment? Verse 32 says “all the nations.” The word nations is "ethne", meaning people. This will be everyone. Everyone regardless of race, wealth, religion, Jew or gentile. Everyone. And look there in verse 32, it says “before him”. So everyone will appear before the throne of Christ and there in Jerusalem. And we see immediately that they are separated into two classes: sheep and goats. Obviously, this is an elastration. Sheep represent those who go into the Kingdom, and goats are cast out of the Kingdom. Or, as someone once put it they are, “the Saints and the aints.”
Now some will try to say that this isn't an earthly or literal place. They say we are going to be metaphysically existing in a spiritual kind of kingdom. They say here is no Millennium. This parable tears down that argument. We can see that this is a physical event happening at a physical location, with everyone, those who endured the tribulation, those who perished in the tribulation, and those who are already resurrected, such as the glorified church. The purpose of this world, as it was created by God, was so that we could live on it. I believe that the resurrected Christ is an example of the coming Kingdom, because he lived physically on this earth just as he does in heaven now. And that tells that we will have the same characteristics.
Secondly, just as the prophecies regarding his first advent were a literal and physical event. So we can also take the prophecies pointing towards the future as things that are yet to be fulfilled and will be fulfilled literally and physically. The same Old Testament prophecies that meant an actual physical event and spiritual event, also point to a future event that will physically happen here on earth. You cannot stand on the bedrock of Scripture being literally fulfilled in his first coming and then change the hermeneutic to allegorize the second coming.
Remember, “if the plain sense makes sense, then is makes sense than any other sense is just plain nonsense!”
So what we are learning about through this parable is an event that will happen physically here on earth during an actual millennial Kingdom of Christ as consistently outlined in Scripture. Now we’re going to come back to all of these prophecies and spiritualize them? Jesus is Lord of Heaven and Earth
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. "For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. (Romans 4:13–15)
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)
Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord of hosts is his name: 36 “If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the Lord, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever.” 37 Thus says the Lord: “If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:35–37)
“For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain. (Isaiah 66:22)
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. (Matthew 23:37–38)
So we can clearly see That Christ is referring to a literal judgment, happening at a specific time (after his Second Coming), in a literal place (his throne in Jerusalem), to all people. This parable is meant to give us understanding and a warning of what is about to happen. It is meant to reveal to us the seriousness of our judgment. It is meant to awaken the sleepy believer, just as the Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids, sober the careless, encourage the weary, and jolt the doubter. It is exactly what John records: Revelation 20:12-15: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
III. The Manner of Judgment
33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
Now Jesus uses something that a shepherd commonly does there in Jerusalem. If you go there, you will see mixed herds of sheep and goats all over the pastures. At some point. The shepherds will divide them, mostly for feeding and also for resting. They will allow them to graze together, and then later on separate them. There's an important reason for this, because sheep and goats do not feed well together and they do not rest well together. Mainly, this is because sheep are basically docile and can be easily scared. The goats on the other hand are unruly and therefore they can create issues if left alone with the sheep. So there comes a time when the shepherd must separate the sheep from the goats.
Jesus uses this analogy to help us understand how the division will take place at the final judgment. Here we see, that, “he sets the sheep on his right hand and the goats on the his left.” Now this tells us that the sheep are the ones that are receiving the blessing. To be put at the right hand of the king was a place of honor. He does so with a wonderful invitation, “come.”
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
It is one thing to be entitled to something. It is a whole another thing to be invited in when you are unworthy to be someplace. This is what will happen to the believer. We have no worth to stand at the right hand of Jesus. We have no entitlement to that position. We are invited by him.
The invitation, is to jesus's Kingdom. Look at what jesus says, “come into my Kingdom.” Now, on what terms are they being invited? Most people might say well based upon verse 35 and verse 36. But doesn't that teach salvation by works? Isn't he saying that you can come into the Kingdom based upon the good deeds you've done? You are coming based upon basic human kindness? Here is where we run into the problem.
But look a little deeper with me, because he addresses those he invites, “you who are blessed by my Father.” This is the emphasis of the source of their salvation. You are coming into the Kingdom because God blesses you to be a part of that Kingdom. He redeemed you, paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Notice also the word, “inherit.” If you inherit something, it is because you receive it as being a member of a family. The Kingdom is yours because You became a joint heir with Jesus Christ. You were elected. You were chosen. You were a member of the family of faith. You are sons and daughters of the most high God. So this parable isn't teaching a works-based salvation, rather it is emphasizing the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. So why have judgment?
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3)
Jesus is judging according to our works and so far as our works are a manifestation of the redeeming qualities of God within us. Jesus is judging us based on the fruit of our salvation as evidence of our salvation, not as payment of our salvation. And here in verses 35 and 36 Jesus provides 6 criterion in which constitute that evidence: 35 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, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
The fruit of ones faith is exercised in helping those who are suffering from hunger, thirst, estrangement, nakedness, sickness, and imprisonment. In other words, Jesus says he will know you belonged to him and in his Kingdom because you met those needs as if they were him. You could say, that sheep do sheepy things and goats do not. The separation is based upon the evidence of salvation. To put it another way, if you were living a life devoid of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, then you need to seriously examine the truth of the faith you proclaim you have.
There is something that happens in the heart of the believer who looks at someone in need and objectively wants to meet those needs. It is not through philanthropy, it is through the heart of Jesus that lives within us. That's the indication of genuine salvation and why Paul says in 1 Tim 5:8 that someone who is unwilling to even care for their family is worse than an unbeliever.
IV. The Response of those Judged
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 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.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
The response of those being judged is quite amazing. Those being commended are surprised by the King's blessing. "When did we do these things?" Those being commended respond, “when did we do those things? The King's response is, “as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.” What an amazing statement.
But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Jesus is saying that the salvation of those who are put at the right hand of the Father will be evidenced by their good works. If you want to know the genuineness of your faith, do not look at your church attendance average or your reading streak on the Bible app. Look at your heart's desire to love and serve others and the manifestation thereof. That is the genuine external mark of someone's faith.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
If you belong to Jesus there is a giving attitude. I mean a radical attitude to be a giver and not a taker. There is a burning desire to see others blessed even at the cost of your own personal benefit. You give without regard of yourself. That is because the new life of Christ that is in you manifest itself through the physical life you're living now.
Look at Jesus's response in Matt 25:40: 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.’
I love the response of Christ. It is such a beautiful covert. Christ identifies with the very least of those in the Kingdom of God. You can be the most insignificant unnoticed person in the Kingdom and Jesus identifies with you.
Conversely, those who proclaim to be Christians and had nothing in their life as evidence of the fruit of that salvation, we'll be just as surprised at the condemnation they receive. "When were you hungry?" It's blame-shifting.
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
What’s sobering is the astonishment and unbelief of the goats. Remember the bridesmaids? Their life was not evident as that of bridesmaids. It wasn't that what they did excluded them. It was what they didn't do. It's that they didn't have any oil. The point is that they were not who they said they were and that was evidenced by how they lived their life.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)
And our Lord provides a very sobering pronouncement. Matthew 25:45 “45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’”
V. The Warning of the Judge
46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
So we come to the conclusion of this parable and also Jesus’s sermon on the last days. And it ends with a warning. He is coming. We don't know the day or the hour; we are to be ready at all times because irreversible judgment is coming with him. Once again, Jesus identifies the righteous as those who inherit the Kingdom. It is not based on works. It is based on those who identify with God.
The reward or the punishment for our actions is not arbitrary, but consistent and appropriate. The reward for the sheep is to inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world, which implies that God has always intended and planned to bless his people with his presence, his peace, and his joy. The punishment for the goats is to depart into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, which implies that God has never intended or planned to curse his people with his absence, his wrath, and his sorrow. The reward or the punishment is the natural and logical consequence of our choices and actions, whether they align with God's will and purpose, or whether they oppose and resist it.
There are two destinies, and only two destinies. Eternal life or eternal punishment. The sheep come into the kingdom, the goats into hell. That’s the choice of every person alive today. Your eternity is going to be one or the other. One is the blessing of God, the other is a curse. There is no middle ground. What you need to know is there are many in church today who think they’re going to heaven because they are religious but will be shocked to hear the words, “depart from me, I never knew you.” But let me tell you something, no one need to hear those words. It’s a response of faith and a choice of life. If you truly have faith it will manifest in your life that’s the eternal life promised to you welling up within you.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
There are two destinies, and only two destinies. Eternal life or eternal punishment. The sheep come into the kingdom, the goats into hell. That’s the choice of every person alive today. Your eternity is going to be one or the other. One is the blessing of God, the other is a curse. There is no middle ground. What you need to know is there are many in church today who think they’re going to heaven because they are religious but will be shocked to hear the words, “depart from me, I never knew you.” But let me tell you something, no one need to hear those words. It’s a response of faith and a choice of life. If you truly have faith it will manifest in your life that’s the eternal life promised to you welling up within you.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3–4)
