"When the Son of Man
comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,
then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
All the nations will be gathered before him,
and he will separate people one from another
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats …
Matthew 25:31-32
What did Jesus do in his final week on earth? He separated sheep from goats …
… or rather, he told how – on Judgment Day -- humanity will be “sorted.”
The famous line in Jesus’ teaching here starts in verse 34. “Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom … for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink …”
The saved sheep answer, "37 Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?” The condemned goats didn’t give “him” food or clothing, so they answer in the same way – “44 When was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or …”
Many faithful people view this passage as scripture’s most passionate call to care for the poor. And indeed, caring for the poor is one of scriptures most important themes!!!
But I don’t think that this is what this passage is really about.
Why? Several clues …
· We are saved by grace, not by works. That is THE repeated theme of the New Testament – that we sin and fall short, so it’s faith in Jesus and God’s grace that saves us. Period. Therefore, as crucial as caring for the hungry is, it can’t be the basis of salvation!
· Except isn’t that what Jesus just said?!!
· Here’s the second clue. In verse 40, Jesus says, “just as you did it to one of the members of my family, you did it to me.” In a generic sense, yes, everyone in the world, including the poor, is a member of Jesus family. But let’s be specific. Who does Jesus specifically say is a member of his family? In Matthew 12, “47 someone told [Jesus], ‘Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside …?’ 49 [But] pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”
· Now read that previous quote in this context of family: “37 ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry … or thirsty … 38 and when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you …?” … 40 And the king will answer them, ‘ … Just as you did it to one of the least of these [who are my disciples and thus members of my family], you did it to me.”
· So what if this is saying, not “take care of the poor as your ticket to heaven,” but “graciously receive and listen to and even take care of Jesus disciples who come to you with gospel because what they’re proclaiming is the ticket to heaven.”
· Indeed, if people kick out those who are proclaiming the Gospel, isn’t this kicking out Jesus and his message from their lives?!
· Doesn’t this understanding focus sheep and goats and salvation on faith in Jesus and the message that all disciples (including you and me) are called to proclaim?!
· Doesn’t this make sense in the context of Matthew 10? It says, “5 Jesus sent out … these twelve [disciples, saying] … 7 As you go, proclaim the good news … 14 [but] if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.” 37 ‘Lord … 38 when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you …?” … 40 And the king will answer them, ‘ … Just as you did it to one of the least of these [who are my disciples and thus members of my family], you did it to me.”
· In Matthew 24, Jesus says his family will be hungry, thirsty, and lacking shelter or clothing. No wonder. When Jesus sends his disciples out – Matthew 10 – he says, “9 Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food.”
· In Matthew 24, Jesus says that his family might be imprisoned and needing visiting and care. No wonder. In Matthew 5 he predicts those exact circumstances for his followers, saying, “11 Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 [Instead,] rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
· In Matthew 24, Jesus says that accepting his family (of disciples) will determine whether they’re sorted into sheep and goats on the day of judgment. In Matthew 10, Jesus says that if we do NOT accept Jesus’ (family of) disciples and their message it’ will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
Are we called to take care of the poor? ABSOLUTELY.
But is that what separates us into sheep and goats? This one lone story doesn’t jibe with the process of justification and salvation in any other passage in the New Testament. And besides bread and a meal only last for a few hours. Indeed, as Jesus reminded Satan in the wilderness, “4:4 Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
So … what did Jesus spend his final week doing? Separating sheep and goats? I don’t think so. Rather, he spent his time imploring his current generation and all future generations to accept him and his message … and to accept his disciples and their message about him … for when we invite these itinerant ministers into our home, and feed them, and clothe them, and accept their message, then we are saved.
In Christ’s Love,
a guy who wants to say “baa”
… forever
LONG ONE … SORRY!!!
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