Pastor Tom Johnson, November 22, 2020
Matthew chapters 24 and 25 is a sermon—Jesus’ last words before he is arrested that he spoke on the Mount of Olives. It’s why it’s called the Olivet Discourse. It answers the disciples’ question, “What will be the sign of the end of the age?" Jesus warns his disciples against those who say, “I am the christ.” Beware of the self-proclaimed messiahs who rise up after his death, resurrection, and ascension. Don’t go after them, Jesus warns. They will lead many astray.
It may seem by the parable of the sheep and goats that on the last day, we will be judged by how kind we are to the poor and indigent people. It seems it does not matter what one believes. It seems that our salvation is based on our good works. This could not be further from the truth. Both the sheep and the goats identify as disciples of Jesus. Both the sheep and the goats are part of what theologians call the visible church—those we humans see as followers of Jesus. In this parable, the Good Shepherd sees what we cannot see. He knows the history and, more importantly, the hearts of these sheep and goats. He knows what they did. He knows why they did what they did. He knows their motive and hearts.
It’s clear from the context that the goats are those who are deceived into thinking they are true followers of Jesus. “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus says, “just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” Instead, the goats followed the false messiahs. We know from history that after Jesus’ earthly ministry, false messiahs rose up. They led many to start rebellions war in order to liberate Israel from Roman occupation. Even Jesus’ disciples wanted to know after Jesus’ ascension if that was the time when he would restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus says, “It is not for you to know...but you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:6-8). From the beginning of Matthew in his sermon on the mount, Jesus said the church will be “persecuted for righteousness’ sake...they will revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:10,11). The goats self-deception is due to their pride that they were faithful. But while true followers of Jesus were being persecuted, hungry, sick, and in prison, the goats were more preoccupied with living and dying by the sword and bringing in political liberation than they were nurturing the faith and lives of true believers.
I believe this parable is a warning to us as God’s people not to be seduced by the battles of worldly kingdoms around us. We should beware of those who politicize Christianity and Christianize politics. This is the spirit of the antichrist. We can deceive ourselves into thinking we are doing good for society, country, neighbor, and church by taking up these earthly battles. But, instead, we have strayed off into the way of the goats instead of following the Good Shepherd as his sheep. Jesus tells us again and again to take up our cross—not our swords.
The sheep and the goats is not about social ministry wherever we find our neighbor in need. There are plenty of Scriptures about taking care of the needy. This is not one of those Scriptures. This is about Christians caring for other Christians. Our lives have been so deeply impacted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we unselfconsciously serve our sisters and brothers in Christ. “We love because God first loved us” (1 Jn 4:19). Or as Jesus says so pointedly says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35). In other words, our minds are so saturated by Christ’s love for us as the family of God, we don’t even hesitate or have to think about reaching out to one another when we are in need. When one part of the Body hurts the whole Body suffers.
This final parable before Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, death, and resurrection is about how we are to live to the end. And how is that? With authenticity. We are to genuinely live out our faith knowing that we cannot fool God. He wants us to be so overwhelmed by his authentic love for us that we authentically love one another. We don’t even think about it, it’s so part of who we are as sisters and brothers and children of God. “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison?” Jesus’ answer: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family you did it to me.” This is good news! Jesus’ sheep know that they have not earned nor do they deserve forgiveness and eternal life. It’s a gift, by grace alone through faith. Christ alone dies and rises again to secure our salvation. Here is an amazing truth: Jesus receives love from us when we authentically love one another.
During these days of the pandemic, we know our lives are secure in the hand of Christ our King. No one can snatch us out of his hand. He alone knows the number of our days. He is the Alpha and Omega. He knows our past, present, and future. He invites us into his Kingdom prepared since before the foundation of the world. The surpassing peace of Christ and comfort we have in the Gospel frees us to get our eyes off ourselves, to live in awe of his love for us, and to selflessly love and care for one another in authenticity. When the world sees how we care for one another and how our lives have been transformed by our faith in Christ, they will want to know more about this Jesus. This is how the sheepfold and family of God grows: more sisters and brothers in Christ who authentically love one another because of Christ our King’s love for us.
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