He is always identifying people in his neighborhood and wherever he goes to help. Unlike some people whose wardrobes are loaded with clothes and have never thought of clothing the needy, this young man identifies people in church and neighborhood who are in need of clothes and other valuable items, to share the little he has. To him, giving is fun and he can give his time, energy, skills and other resources to make people happy.
This kind of giving is unconditional and it demonstrates love, sympathy, concern, goodness and kindness. Some people do not care about the well-being of others. They hardly attend to those in need of spiritual, emotional, psychological and material support. Jesus Christ used sheep and goats to illustrate how we should show love to those within and outside His body and teaches us that the way we treat people around us is the same way we treat Him. He admonishes us to demonstrate unconditional love through giving in the form of hospitality, feeding, visits and donations for those in need.
“And before Him shall be gathered all nations, and He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in; naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.’ Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when saw we Thee hungering and fed Thee, or thirsty and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger and took Thee in, or naked and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?’ And the King shall answer and say unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:34-40)
Sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) are domesticated cud-chewing mammals typically kept as livestock – raised for food and money. While sheep and goats have their relative strengths and weaknesses, it is important for us to examine our qualities as we relate with people to determine if we have sheep-like or goat-like qualities in line with Jesus’ illustration. As a Christian believer, Jesus wants to see how you are identifying and helping people in need within and outside the church (not just men of God). This will determine where He will place you on the day of judgment – whether right hand (Sheep) or left hand (Goats).
Ordinarily, goats are known to be impulsive, unpredictable and contrary. They are never content with what they have and are not very good followers. A sheep follows its Shepherd, moving forward with the flock in a peaceful manner. A sheep responds to his Shepherd’s voice and goes where He directs. Therefore, those who will be ushered to the right-hand side of Jesus are those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and serve as His channel of love (See Romans 5:5).
Remember, the sheep have Jesus Christ as Shepherd and they enjoy (now and after the judgment day) eternal life – the life of God, while the goats shall be thrown into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels (See Matthew 25:41). If you are yet to accept Jesus Christ – the Great Shepherd, as Lord and Savior, say this prayer of salvation: Lord Jesus, I accept that I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart. I receive You as my Lord and Savior and I receive Your eternal life. I believe that You came, died for me and rose again to save me. I declare that I am born again and I now belong to Your fold. Amen!
By Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 