Sheep and Goats
Author: Joseph
Date: May 5, 2024
When Yeshua returns, He forewarned, every nation will be gathered to Him in judgment for their deeds. Those whom He will call “blessed of My Father,” He refers to as “sheep” (Matthew 25:33-34). Those to whom He will call “accursed ones,” He refers to as “goats” (Matthew 25:33, 41). He says to the blessed ones:
“For I was hungry, and you have Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me”
(Matthew 25:35-36).
The righteous ones, however, will reply that they were unaware that they were doing so to Him. And this is because they did not have the intention of gaining a reward, but were doing what was righteous and good in God’s eyes simply because they loved God and so also loved their neighbor and did what was good and righteous towards them. They did not consider what benefit they would reap from loving obedience, but only that they would do what is pleasing to God. Their love of their neighbor naturally flowed from their love of God and so their deeds were done in righteousness.
To the accursed ones, however, He speaks contrarily:
“...for I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me”
(Matthew 25:42-43).
The accursed ones will reply that they were unaware that they neglected Him in such a manner. And this is because they did not care to live in a manner that is good and righteous in God’s eyes, but simply lived in a manner that was of advantage to themselves, seeking their own benefit. Instead of considering the “least of these,” they neglected them, naturally flowing from their heart that was not set on loving God. For one who loves God considers the heart of God and naturally is inclined to love their neighbor as well. The evil man, however, has no such desire, just as they have no desire to love God. Instead, they do only what is of advantage to them. Because the “least of these” cannot reciprocate any benefit to them, they do not seek their good. And likewise, these also do not see any benefit from loving God and living in obedience to Him, so they neglect to live as God desires. Without a desire to love God and live selflessly for Him, they also are unable to love their neighbor and perform selfless deeds for the benefit of their neighbor (which they will themselves reap no benefit from).
"...they neglect to live as God desires."
While the “sheep” did the will of God and did so for the purpose of loving obedience, the goats neglected the will of God and did so without care for how they were or were not living in a manner that was pleasing to God. Because they did not have a love for God, they also hated their neighbor and were lovers of self and their own will.
It is written of the “goats”: “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).
But are the sheep and goats simply believers and non-believers as has been commonly taught? No, the sheep and the goats are like the foolish virgins of the parable given earlier in the same chapter, both given the same responsibility of being ready for the bridegroom’s arrival. The sheep and the goats are like the servants who had been given talents of wealth to utilize wisely while their master went away on a journey.
The sheep and the goats are those who claim to be part of the people of God, yet He divides them according to how they have conducted themselves, whether in righteous obedience out of a love for God or wicked disobedience out of no desire to love God. The sheep and the goats are among those who claim to follow God. And this is whom Yeshua was speaking to when He gave this forewarning.
This should cause a healthy and holy fear of God in you, to humble yourself and reflect on what you desire. Do you desire loving God and doing His will, not considering any advantages to you except that you live selflessly for Him? Or, do you consider what benefit obedience has for you and neglect to do what God has asked because you do not love Him nor have a heart to do His will?
Reflect and consider your ways. This is vital for how you stand on the day of judgment.
Matthew 25:31-46
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org