Matthew 25:31-46

In Matthew 25:31-46 the Apostle Matthew records a disturbing episode. It was an encounter by Jesus not with the Pharisees or Sadducees or others who openly opposed him.  No, it was an encounter with those who called him Lord.

The setting is before the judgement throne of Jesus.  Those who call him Lord are divided into two groups: sheep and goats.  Those in each group have presented themselves as followers of Jesus but there is a problem.  One group will enter heaven, the other group will be consigned to hell.

Mat 25:46
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

What is the difference between the two groups?  Why is one group, the sheep, going to heaven and the other group, the goats, going to hell.  The simple answer is awareness and action.  The sheep were those who saw hurting people, people in need and took action.  Further the sheep didn’t cater only to those with status, power, wealth.  They could be found helping the helpless and hopeless as well.  The goats were oblivious to what was going on in the lives of those around them and in their world except as it directly pertained to them.

The sheep were motivated by God’s love to act on behalf of those in need.  The goats, in reality, used Jesus as fire insurance against the fires of hell. They were only concerned about themselves.

If we call Jesus Lord, we need to examine our lives to determine which group, sheep or goats, we belong to.  Love in Scriptures is a verb. It calls for action not only for our relationship to Jesus but on behalf of those around us and those God puts on our hearts.