Introduction

What I like most about Jesus' method of teaching is the way he always seems to say the opposite of what people want him to say! This is true of the account we just read. To modern ears it seems strange and goes against the grain. A modern individual might say "Why should I help someone else - they wouldn't help me." And if we try to suggest that by not helping they are committing a sin, then we will be called "Fundamentalist Christians." But this isn't a new reaction. Many people who heard Jesus teach were outraged at what they heard. How many times is it recorded in the gospels that a "crowd got angry" or "they plotted to have him killed"? Indeed, they even went as far as to crucify him. Not only that, they done so without any proper evidence! This shows us that Jesus’ teaching was and, unfortunately, still is difficult to accept.

This morning, I’d like to look at this passage and see how modern readers can learn from Jesus' controversial teaching.

Main Points

This account is part of a series of teaching by Jesus on the end times. In Chapter 24 he talks about the destruction of the Temple, then moves on to talk about the signs that the end of the age is coming. Following this is a series of parables, teaching his followers to be ready for the end. But, the clearest reference to the end times is found in Chapter 24 verses 29 to 31. Jesus talks about the “Son of Man” figure spoken of by Daniel the prophet in Daniel Chapter 7.

We’re going to read Daniel 7, verses 13 & 14. Look out for the similarities to the passage in Matthew 13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (NIV)

There are definitely parallels between the two readings. Jesus uses the phrase “Son of Man” in our passage. Most theologians would agree that by using this term, Jesus is saying that he is the Son of Man. This means that when he uses the term in Chapter 25 verse 31, he is really saying, “When I come…” The placing of the story also supports this; it comes just before the final events of Jesus’ ministry and life.  So, Jesus is saying that he will be coming back to judge all the nations. This was a big claim for a Jew. His hearers would have been shocked and outraged.

This brings us to my first point. Jesus claims that: "All the nations will be assembled before him." (NET) This means that whereas before Jesus was teaching Jews and his followers, he is now talking to all peoples of all nations. When the judgement happens, all people of all religions, backgrounds, race etc, will be judged according to his standards.
You can almost see the reaction that kind of statement would have in a modern context! There would be outrage. Questions like "Why should we believe in your God?" would be asked. The non-believer might argue, "Well that’s OK for you to believe but when I die something different will happen."  However, as believers in the One True God, we have to accept that all are subject to God’s judgement, not just those who believe in Him.
If we step out of our modern worldview for a moment, we might see that this is probably the fairest way of dealing with humanity. If God made different requirements for different people, it would surely by unfair. On the other hand, if God makes one set of requirements for all human beings, then we all have equal chances.

Let me give you an example to show this point. In a family there are two children, one who is 10 and one who is 8. The parents make two rules. Firstly, if the 10 year old behaves himself he is allowed to stay up until 9pm. Next, if the 8 year old behaves himself and also helps to clean the dishes, he is allowed to stay up until 9pm. The outcry would be instant - "It's not fair! Why should I have to clean the dishes when he doesn't?"
This example shows us that if we were judged using differing standards, it would not be fair.  So, we find that although it goes against the grain at first, Jesus’ teaching actually makes sense. It is fairer to judge everyone by his standards than to judge people using varying standards.

The next thing to mention about the passage is to do with salvation. It’s possible to read this passage and find in it the means of salvation. In other words, some might argue that to be saved all you have to do is act in they way Jesus describes. But, as Christians, we believe that salvation is something bought for us by Christ’s death. It is not gained as something we have done, but rather as something done for us. I will explain why I don’t think this passage gives us a means of salvation later.

At this point, I think it would be helpful to have a character study of "sheep" and "goats." What makes someone a "sheep" or a "goat"? Let's have a look at what the passage tells us.

Firstly, we can tell a sheep by their willingness to help others without thinking about what's in it for them. They will give food to the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, invite in a stranger, give clothing to the naked, take care of the sick, and visit the prisoner in prison. (Vv.35-6) Not only will they not think about what's in it for them, they won't even realise that they are doing these things! In verses 37-39 they righteous respond to Jesus' by asking the question "when did we do these things?" So, a sheep is a person who does these things out of love. They do it as a natural response to what Jesus does for them. They are so overflowing with love from God that it must find its outlet in helping those who Jesus himself identified with - the needy and outcasts of society.
 
Secondly, we can tell a goat by the exact opposite means! In the account, Jesus says exactly the same things about them, but in the negative. They did not give food to the hungry, or drink to the thirsty and so on. And their reaction to this further incriminates them. They reply, "When did we see you?" These people couldn't even see the opportunity to serve Jesus in these situations let alone act out of love in them.
So, we see that there is a fundamental difference between sheep and goats. The former act out of love the latter don’t see the opportunity to do so.

This is where my earlier point on salvation comes in. This passage is not describing the means to be saved. Instead it is describing what people do when they have been saved. It is not a quick guide to salvation; rather it is a saved person's guide to life. If we are truly saved by Christ and have experienced his love, we will act in the same way as the sheep.

Moving on from this point, it seems to be a conclusion that people aren't aware of which group they are part of. This is shown in the responses of the two groups in verses 37-38 and 44. They both claim to not have seen Jesus and were unaware of their own actions or lack of action. I found an interesting fact while reading about this passage. In Jesus’ time, the sheep in Palestine looked very similar to the goats. Quite often, a shepherd would have to search his flock to separate sheep from goats. I think this sheds light onto the image Jesus uses. Jesus is saying that it is difficult, without close inspection, to tell the sheep from the goats.

In the Church of Christ, there are sheep and goats. We can't really tell who is a sheep and who is a goat - it is easy to live a life thinking that we are doing good things for God, even if we’re not. It’s always good to remember the warning that Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 13:2 And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 13:3 If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit." (NET)
It’s possible to have people in a church who show all kinds of spiritual gifts, but if love is not at the centre of their actions, they are goats in sheep's clothing!

The final point I would like to make is this: the motive for right action has been intensified. We all know the famous line from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says "7:12 In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you..." (NET)
Jesus is telling us to first think how we want to be treated and then do just that for others. This in itself is a hard thing to do.
But in the passage we read, Jesus is giving us an even greater incentive to act in the right way: "25:40 ...'I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’" (NET)
Not only do we now act as if we are acting for our own good, but we must act as if we were doing it for Christ. So, when we see a beggar, we must think to ourselves "this man is the next best thing as having Jesus here with me" and act accordingly. If we saw Jesus begging, who here would carry on walking by? I think the answer is none of us. When we see a beggar, our reaction should be the same as if we were to see Christ.
This, I think, is harder to do, and I doubt that many of us truly act in this way. What higher vision of humanity can we have? And how this view would change our world! If all people acted in this way, war would cease, famine would be a thing of the past, homelessness would be non-existent and all other social ills of this type would be solved.
But, as we saw, this was not the case in Jesus' time, neither is it the case today.

I would like to end by reading a short story, which illustrates this passage very well. It comes from William Barclay's book on the Gospel of Matthew. He tells the story of Martin of Tours. He says this: He was a Roman soldier and a Christian. One cold winter day, as he was entering a city, a beggar stopped him and asked him for alms. Martin had no money; but the beggar was blue and shivering with cold, and Martin gave what he had. He took off his soldier's coat, worn and frayed as it was; he cut it in two and gave half of it to the beggar man. That night he had a dream. In it he saw the heavenly places and all the angel and Jesus in the midst of them; and Jesus was wearing half a Roman soldiers cloak. One of the angel said to Jesus, 'Master, why are you wearing that battered old cloak? Who gave it to you?' And Jesus answered softly, 'My servant Martin gave it to me.

Conclusion

So, which one are you going to be? Are you going to act like a goat, missing opportunities to show Jesus that your love for him is real by helping those who are in need? Or are you going to be a sheep? Are you actions going to flow naturally from the love Jesus has shown you? Are you going to help people without thought of reward?

It's a high calling, but as is shown by the ending verses, the rewards are high. For those who are judged righteous, there is eternal life. But, for those who are judged as unrighteous, there is only eternal punishment.
Let's decide today to be sheep for Christ, working out of gratitude for the immense love shown to us by and through him.

And as Paul prayed for the church at Philippi:
"1:9 I pray... that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight 1:10 so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God." (NET)

Amen.

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