In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus talks about the time when all nations will stand before Him to be judged using the illustration of a shepherd separating sheep and goats into separate flocks. Sheep and goats have very different demeanors; the message however that Jesus is driving across is not about sheep and goats, it is about people in the day when “each of us shall give account of himself to God” Romans 14:12. The word translated “nations” in Matthew 25:32 means “race” or “tribe” so He is not speaking so much about nations such as The United States and England, but rather of individuals that make up these and all other nations, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” 2 Corinthians 5:10. While the parable brings our works into view, the message goes far deeper than just doing or not doing; it is assumed that good works will be done by the followers of Jesus who said in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” There are Many that do good works who are not even Christians, but those works cannot save them (see Ephesians 2:8-9); then some refuse to do the works and look for a “loophole” why they don’t do them, Matthew 25:41-46. But the message goes even deeper than the works, it is the reason for the works, Jesus said “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” verse 40. Is it done so others can see Jesus through you, are you doing it as unto Him? Works done for the wrong reason or with the wrong motivation will be as “wood, hay, (and) straw” 1 Corinthians 3:12. And then Jesus closes the “loophole” for those not doing the works at all for the opportunity is all around, in Matthew 25:41-46!
Are you a sheep?
By Rose Hill
On judgment day will you be like the sheep,
Because for Him all His commands you endeavored to keep?
Jesus is looking for the works that you do,
But are they done for Him or for you?
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.