Meghan Kazmann, Member

Matthew 25:32-36; 37-40 (New Living Translation)

32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his 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 creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Reflection:

At face value, the parable of the sheep and the goats is a little perplexing and a tad disturbing.  As Jesus tells it, in the Final Judgment, God will separate the sheep from the goats. The sheep will ascend into Heaven while the goats will be doomed to depart “into the eternal fire.” The sheep won’t even know they are sheep. Same with the goats. Queue the OMG emoji. Am I a sheep? Maybe I’m a goat? Please, God, don’t let me be a goat! 

It is no coincidence that in real life, sheep and goats are deceptively similar. They make similar sounds, both produce milk and wool/fur for clothing. But they are different! The act of serving someone less fortunate than ourselves can look deceptively similar to the natural reaction of a loving heart. Are we going through the motions of worship and serving or are we truly demonstrating the love of Jesus through our daily lives?

There is no doubt that Jesus expects Christians to give to the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick. Because we know this is the expectation, should we speed to the local homeless shelter to put in our full day for the purpose of getting into Heaven? If this was Jesus’ message, our motivation may come through very differently. What is the motivation to give to the poor? Is it obligation? To get something in return? Recognition? Or is giving, feeding, clothing, and visiting those that are in need a reflection of your heart?

Perhaps giving to the poor and feeding the hungry is not the reason we are saved but the evidence we are saved. But if we serve out of obligation or with an expectation of receiving something in return, we completely miss the blessing of giving.  

The sheep in this parable are completely unaware because they were never keeping track!  Their love for Christ translates to others in a way that is simple, ordinary, everyday service. Yes, we have been saved by God’s grace through faith but how we treat the less fortunate is a direct reflection of our faith in Christ. Remember as you go about your day today, that unconscious act of kindness, that simple, everyday generosity will be the evidence that you have been transformed by God’s grace.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,  I thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for the blessing of helping those who need it most.  May you open my heart that I give, feed, clothe and visit those who need it without reluctance but with sincere joy and gratitude. Amen.