Sheep and Goats

Summary

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 25.40

Jesus ends his fourth major section of teaching on the end of the age with a sobering description of final judgment.  At His first coming, Jesus came to the world as a servant King, intending to die for those who received Him.  At His second coming, Jesus will come to the world as a conquering King, intending to judge those who rejected Him.  Upon His return, Jesus will separate His sheep from the world’s goats—believers from unbelievers. The distinguishing difference between the two will not be their mighty knowledge or their many works.  It will be their love for the helpless and the hopeless—the least of these.  Jesus’ sheep are characterized by an unworldly compassion birthed out the love their own shepherd has shown to them.  They are active in their love, yet, unaware of how it glorifies God proving that love for the unlovable is the natural response to God’s love.

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