Baa, baa, black sheep
Submitted by theshovel
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
PDF versionWell, here's the famous passage as found in the New American Standard Bible (the NASB).
But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on His right, "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me."
Then the righteous will answer Him, "Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?"
The King will answer and say to them, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.
Then He will also say to those on His left, " Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me."
Then they themselves also will answer, "Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?"
Then He will answer them, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me."These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.Matthew 25:31-46
You know what? The more I read this and think about it the more obvious it becomes! It used to confuse me quite a bit, and I think I mostly ignored the implications because I didn't have any idea how this was supposed to fit into grace.
First, consider WHEN this was spoken.
It was AFTER these significant encounters with the religious establishment of the day:
The Pharisees and the Sadducees (along with the scribes and lawyers) had ganged up on Jesus with a series of Catch-22 questions where any answer he gave would trap him. It didn't work. For somehow, Jesus was able to evade their deceptions by turning their logic back on them. Their attempts backfired on them so bad that they were put to shame in front of all the people. The religious leaders had done this to themselves. Then Jesus denounced the whole religious leadership in front of everybody where he repeatedly called them hypocrites, and exposed their religious game to all.
Don't miss this! The best that man could come up with was unmasked in front of all as being a total LIE. Those who were supposed to be the representatives of God were declared to be the masters of EVIL and were to be held accountable for all the evil done by their predecessors.
Where did this leave the rest of them? The leaders must have been grinding their teeth at him! The people must have been totally disillusioned! The disciples knew that their connection with Jesus left them no where else to go, and yet they didn't have the faintest idea what Jesus was up to ... they must have had fear growing within them at each moment.
Jesus then began telling his disciples about things to come and how it would go from bad to worse! He warned them to watch out for those who would try to mislead them. And how they would become hated by people everywhere.
He told a few stories:
The first was about the ten virgins. Five were foolish, five were wise. What made the difference? The oil. Five didn't think they needed it and didn't take any, but five did and had what they needed when the bridegroom came. Don't look too deep at this, for it was a simple picture of something they would have been familiar with. Overlooking the need for the OIL is what made the one group foolish and caused them to miss the wedding. Having the OIL is what made the other group wise and gave them access to the wedding.
The second story was about the talents (which was money). Three men were given a different quantity of money based on their ability to produce a profit. Two of the men had used the money and had come back with a profit for their master, but the third man hid the money given to him and gave it back with the excuse that he was afraid he might lose it. The two were rewarded and the third was cast out. Jesus was not teaching about the importance of handling money here, he was telling a story that they would have instantly related to. Two men valued the money while the third saw it as a inconvenience.
Jesus was like the oil that was overlooked by the foolish and held to by the wise. Jesus was like the money that had been treasured by some and feared by another. It's real simple when you don't dissect it and look for all kinds of principles to learn from it. The disciples would not have been trying to over- spiritualize these stories like we do. They probably found themselves thinking, How could you forget to take something as important as oil with you? and Why would someone bury the money instead of making a profit?
When did they connect the obvious? Was it right away or was it after the Spirit opened their eyes? I imagine that they would have sensed something right away that they just couldn't put into words. But later, they would describe Jesus as the stone that the builders rejected that became the very cornerstone of the building of God!!
Now, we have the story of the sheep and the goats.
Is this story supposed to be establishing a piece of a time-line so that we can go find all the other pieces and try to fit them together into one seamless chronology? I used to think so. It not only created numerous contradictions, it also created contentions with those who had different viewpoints. But mostly, I missed the obvious because I was looking for something that wasn't there!
When does "the Son of Man come in his glory"? Are we to assume that he doesn't come in his glory until some future time? When was Jesus glorified? Didn't Jesus say ...
The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified John 12:23
... shortly before his crucifixion? Didn't he also repeat that claim just after Judas went out to betray him?
Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him; if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in Himself, and will glorify him immediately! John 13:31-32
Jesus was glorified in the very place that all mankind despises: the condemnation of death! The death of a condemned sinner.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 3:8-11
Set your mind at ease for there is no other judgment that God holds to other than Christ in his death, burial and resurrection.
Jesus spoke of this as something future because AT THE TIME it was future for Jesus had not yet been glorified.
The nations are now gathered before him for he is the one and only distinction between people!
What is this separation based on? Birth ... nature. Sheep and goats traveled together and shepherds had to separate them for different reasons at different times. Jesus speaks of himself as a shepherd who divides the nations by whether one is a sheep or a goat.
The thing that was said to the sheep was the same thing that was said to the goats except for one crucial distinction: the sheep did give food and drink and clothes to Jesus while the goats did not. ALL the sheep are said to have done this, while ALL the goats are said NOT to have done this.
Is it suggested that the doing of these things caused the sheep to be sheep, or is it suggested that NOT doing these things caused the goats to be goats? No. They were not separated by deeds but by nature. Very important.
But there's something more obvious here. THE REACTIONS.
The sheep hear the pronouncement and are surprised, saying, "When did we ever do such a thing for YOU?"
The goats hear it and are offended by his denial of their assistance, and they said, "When DIDN'T we do this for you?"
Remember what led up to all this? Remember the encounters with the self-righteous religious leaders? I'm sure it was still fresh on the minds of these disciples as they had been listening to what Jesus was telling them. I'm sure they were still taken back by the hatred of those who had made such wonderful claims of righteousness.
Jesus' words to them were not for informations' sake, for the disciples would soon be standing face to face with these religious men ... and the reality of the nature of the goats would hit them hard. All the warnings were about the pretenders who would try to deceive them.
They would also need to be prepared to recognize the sheep who would claim no righteousness of their own. Why? Because the tendency is to listen to claims instead of to reality.
That is why we have come to wrongly judge who the sheep are based on verbal professions. For when we listen with the ears of the Spirit, which we have been given, then we hear the voice of the sheep as they are taken by surprise when we speak of the work of Christ in them. We also begin to suspect that many professions of faith may be nothing more than false claims of a spirituality that is easily offended when it is not given enough attention.
The difference is simple:
Goats are those whose nature is found in the fallen Adam, though they claim to not be too far gone. They are under the false belief that they can and do produce righteousness and are quick to make it known in whatever way they can. When they perform their deeds they want their due credit. They don't want their true nature and/or deeds revealed for what they are, but instead they want their deeds to appear righteous.
Sheep are those who are born of God, and will readily admit to having come from the fallen Adam. Christ is their life. They are not aware of the work of God in them for the most part and instead become more and more aware of the fact that they cannot produce righteousness ... and often say so. Christ is their boast, not themselves.
Until next time .....
scoopfully yours,
the shovel (aka Jim)
Comments
Re: Baa, baa, black sheep
Posted: September 14, 2000 by Diana
Well Mister, I had me quite a "jimboree" and you have certainly given me some spiritual jerky to gnaw on. This particular passage of scripture is on that has run through my life, from the first time that I heard Keith Green sing a song about it I have often wondered what it was talking about. The song didn't jive with who I knew I was in Christ, but it still shook me up and probably made me somewhat defensive. I appreciate your input concerning this matter!!
See you friday pm.
Hope your ear gets better and fast. I have had inner ear infections that made it almost impossible for me to stand up for any length of time without the diziness, so I am sympathetic to your situation.
Posted: September 14, 2000 by Bruce
Jim, Wonderful sheep and goat story. I also wanted to add...that I believe that there is a "sheep nature" (CHRIST) in each of us...and also a "goat nature" (anti-Christ). There is "wheat" and there is a "tare". There is "gold, silver, & precious stones" (the result of His workmanship...the revealing of the Life of Christ in us)...and there is "wood, hay, and stubble". We used to think that some of us were "sheep" and the others were "goats". We deserved heaven...by some choice of our own...and the others deserved hell. We used to think that "we" were the Chosen Ones...and the others weren't Talk about self-righteousness...but I didn't even see myself that way back then. Now the way I see it is that we ALL are CHOSEN...to be conformed to the image of His Son. We have ALL been predestined...because it's not really "us" that it's about anyway...but CHRIST IN US...is what has been pre-destined to be revealed. His nature is what is ordained of God. Christ in every person...is the Chosen One...the rest is doomed for destruction. The way I see it is that the work of God is to "separate" the one from the other. This is judgment. That is why Jesus said to let them..."the wheat and the tares" grow together until the time of the end. He wasn't overly concerned about the "tares". Remember at His coming..."One will be taken...the other left". The "separation" or "judgment" by God is the removal of the "temporal" so that that which is "eternal" (CHRIST) can be seen and known and manifested. True judgment results in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Or as I have heard you say before... God has made us to stand before Him. The FIRE OF GOD...is what destroys, removes, that which is "temporal" of our earthly nature...to reveal His nature. That is why we are saved..."yet as by fire"...for the day (HIS DAY) declares it. Without the removal of the goat nature, tare, wood, hay, stubble...etc...the Divine nature of Christ in us would not be known. Remember who is thrown into the Lake of Fire...? Those whose names or "natures" are not found written in the Book of Life. Pharisees "appear" righteous. They call unto Him, "Lord...Lord...haven't WE DONE...many wonderful works...IN YOUR NAME?" They believe that tacking on ..."in Jesus name..." to a deed or act or prayer that is CONTRARY TO HIS NATURE is going to get the job done. No...nothing we do "outside of His nature"...will ever have any significance...even if we add a million "in Jesus name"s to the end of it. Professing His name means NOTHING to God. POSSESSING HIS NATURE...on the other hand...means EVERYTHING with God. What is His response?..."Depart from me ye workers of iniquity...I NEVER KNEW YOU"...and poof...in they go to the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels(messengers). I never KNEW YOU...(intimacy)...(oneness) sharing His divine nature. So IN GRACE AND MERCY...He pushes them away. Why? So they can RE-APPROACH HIM...through CHRIST. So they can admit that they really do not have His "nature" ...His heart...His interests for mankind...even though the "profess" to be His messengers (angels). So...looking at it this way...the lake of fire has a PURPOSE. Death & hell...those who are separated from God and in torment...are thrown into this "consuming Fire"...to be consumed...so that everything that can be shaken...IS SHAKEN...so that everything that can be burnt up...IS BURNT UP...but most importantly...so that those whose names "natures" aren't written in the Lamb's Book of Life...can find their names (natures) written in it. So that the life of Christ in them...can be revealed...by fire. Doesn't it say that the earth won't be destroyed again by water...but by FIRE next time? Aren't all the "elements" supposed to be destroyed with "fervent heat" so that there can be a NEW HEAVENS and a NEW EARTH...wherein dwelleth righteousness (CHRIST). Oh...well...I am sending this to you cause I know you won't "burn me in eternal torment" without a way of escape. Hey...I've got an idea...how about if the "consuming fire of God" in me and the "consuming fire of God" in you get together. Each of us is a "flame"... If we get enough of us "flames" together...we can form a "lake" of fire. And then we can throw all those who don't "know Him" and haven't bowed their knee to His "nature" into this lake of fire...so that they can be released from their own self-righteousness...and their deception...and the torment they are in...and become One with us! Cause you know... "It only takes a "spark" to get a FIRE GOING...and soon all those around...can warm up to it's glowing...that's how it is with God's Love...once you've experienced it"... Great song...isn't it? :)
Posted: September 14, 2000 by Lisa W
Dear Jim,
So sorry to hear about the "ear episode". I can imagine it's been painful. I'm sure your wife has been a comfort, though. It reminded me of a friend who went to Bermuda on his honeymoon and developed a gradually increasing earache. After a week, he went to the doctor there and the doctor said, "Did you recently get married? And have been swimming in the ocean? Let me guess, you've been here about a week." Then he pulled out an inch-long PLANT from his ear. Turns out a birdseed from their wedding farewell lodged in his ear and with the wax that was already there and the warmth and moisture from Bermuda, he was cultivating his own personal garden. Ah, well, thought it might be nice to laugh a little after the pain you've been through. I'm praying that God's healing touch will bring you through this.
Thanks again for the letter. It's amazing to me that after being raised in an extremely fundamental Christian background that I finally "see" what the Bible means. I used to struggle so much to understand what it meant, not to mention the emotional fear I would feel when I even picked up the book. Grace changed all that for me. Not just in healing my emotions regarding the Father (still in process), but in changing my whole understanding of Scripture. It never seemed like the proverbial love letter before Jesus introduced His grace into my brokenness, but now . . .
Thanks for your teaching about sheep and goats. So key, I think it is so much more clear what things mean when we actually look at the cultural and relational context --a novel idea, huh? :)
Have you read "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" by Johnson and VanVonderen? It relates a story about a guy named Don who was raised in a ministry home where he was always "in the way" of ministry getting done and struggled with real spiritual emptiness. He realized that his upbringing idolized the Bible itself instead of Christ. His Christian counselor asked him what people did with idols in the Old Testament, and the man admitted that they were burned. His counselor said, "Well?" So Don burned all the Bibles he had. Kind of radical, but I identified with his feelings. He had to reject the God of his father so he could accept the true Father. Happily, God restored Don's desire for His Word and Don's wife actually held a dance for him to celebrate his eagerness in buying his first new Bible. Awesome, huh?
Sorry to go on for so long, but my husband and I are usually ministering on Friday nights and I miss Firetalk. Hope this was an encouragement/laugh break for you.
God bless,
Posted: September 14, 2000 by Sherri
Jamison, That was WONDERFUL! about the sheep and goats and virgins and talents!! I love it when all refers to CHRIST and not man and his efforts and accomplishments or lack thereof!! ... when it is not all about us, but about Him Who has so graciously, mercifully, lovingly, and generously made it possible to include us with Him!! It is so very free-ing from sin-, guilt-, shame-, and fear-focusing!!!! I do not say this often, but ... Halleluuuuujah! and "Yippee and Yahoo" (as Becki does say often) :) I love you MORE!! Wifus
Posted: September 14, 2000 by Jim
Jim, I hope your ear gets better real soon. And I enjoyed your post. I only get to read them every once in a while. Just a side note. I drive 1 hour each way to go to a fellowship to hear a pastor preach on grace. I used to go once per month, and then every 2 weeks, but now I try to go every week. Not out of duty whatsovever. But it is quite practicle, I have found. I have found that when I spend time hearing the truth of grace, the exchanged life, him doing through us, us doing alone and failing, no matter how many times or in what personal syle, I find myself much more likely to let him do the do's. I say humbly that the more I avail myself to this teaching, even though I have heard it numerous times, and sometimes nothing is new,(seems to work better one on one or listening to these sermons, and less by reading books, etc.) that I often become overcome with joy, and not usually exitement, and indeed works will often start flowing through me. It is uncanny. Usually quiet personal subtle works. Yesterday I went and I was on the edge of my seat, just waiting and knowing that the "truth" is coming in a few minutes. He was talking about love as an action and not an emotion, and if I was still listening to Galationism, I would hear, now start doing the action, and stop being guided by the emotion, etc.! Here I heard, you cannot stop doing what feels good. Only He can change this pattern. It is so wonderful and freeing. It is practacle because it actually reminds me and encourages me to "let him". I think this is what "forsaking not the assembling of together" is intended for; to keep reminding ourselves that we are very weak on our own, and He uses other christians to encourage us on this. The freeing part is these folks talk only of doing one thing, "letting him do it", and really that is not doing. And to the sad contrast, if you are hearing the mixing of law and grace, it will produce, at the very best, a sense of conflict in your spirit. And I am convinced that it is far better to do anything else than to avail yourself to this irritation. Just rambling in Joy today, Take Care
Add new comment