Parable of the Sheep and Goats, Matt 25:31-46

My first thought was that this is not a parable, as Jesus explains everything right down to the last word. It is just an analogy rather than a parable. But it is a parable, something to learn told in an illustrated lesson. There will be a division in heaven, and this parable is how and why.

The division of sheep and goats is based on those who have taken the teachings to heart and acted on the lessons. We have to take the lessons of Jesus, ingest them and let them change us. The changing will make us more like him, will make us take on his characteristics. We will feed and clothe others in need, we will say a gentle word, we will become more patient and loving. We will grow and become stronger in Him.

Does my heart for Christ show in who I am?

This parable again causes me to consider the heart, and my actions. When I interact with others, am I treating them the way I should? Am I disdainful of the smelly man on the subway? Am I smiling at the homeless woman who begs on the street corner? Am I as generous with my compassion as Christ was?

I have to show the evidence of Christ in my life when no one is looking. I have to show that even when no one knows I am a Christian. I have to show that when I go shopping, when I hold the door open for someone at the coffeeshop. I have to show Christ when I am in my home behind closed doors and the washing machine is broken and the mop-head fell off and the sound on the TV doesn’t work anymore. How I respond even in the privacy of my home all goes to developing the character of the sheep or the goat.

Evidence of Christ’s life in us

This parable is about the evidence of his life in us, how our actions demonstrate an inner faith. This last parable in Matthew follows that vertical and horizontal relationship idea: we have a vertical relationship with God that overflows into the horizontal relationships with others around us. It must flow horizontally if it is healthy.

This idea about horizontal and vertical relationships is not a new one for the New Testament; it begins in the Old Testament. Even the 10 Commandments focus on our relationship with God and our relationship with others. They ask us to consider the impact of our actions and what our character is. The problem that arose was that the people took them literally, not as a reflection of the heart. But these parables all encourage us to be concerned with ourselves in God’s eyes, not looking to others until we are right with God. When our focus is Jesus who reflects the perfect person of the Father, we can know them both and experience a relationship with them.

God longs for you

From the garden of Eden, God has sought to walk with man daily. He has sought to be the one we turn to in times of trouble, the one we turn to in times of despair, in times of joy and celebration. Jesus’ parables push us to re-examine the way we understood who God is. Jesus came to reconcile us to God. Jesus was the opening act to the headliner: Father. Don’t stop on the figure of Jesus, but push onward, over that bridge of reconciliation to know the Father.

This post has been updated and revised from the Parables of Matthew series from August 2019.