Sheep and the Goats

I've found myself being convicted of the way that I live my life this week as I've spent time in the 24-7 prayer room that we have had in Guildford over this period. Once again, Jesus is challenging my heart.

I was reminded today of the passage in Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus talks about what will happen at the final judgment. He talks about how the Son of Man will return and separate the sheep from the goats. I'm sure the people at the time, as do we, assume that the sheep are the good people and the goats are the bad people. The sheep will be with Jesus because they are without sin, and the goats who have lived bad lives will go to an eternal punishment. But
it doesn't appear to be that clean cut.

Indeed, we find that the reason the sheep are seen as righteous is because of the way they treated the poor and those in need. We find that as they feed the hungry, give the thirsty a drink, house the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick and visit those in prison, they are actually doing this for Jesus, and the best thing is, they didn't even know they were doing it!

The goats feel like they've had a rough deal and you can sense that if they knew Jesus was in trouble they would have helped him, but they have missed the point.

The point is that we should be caring for those in need around us.

While I lived in Kansas City, I used to pass a guy who would always stand in the same part of the street by the bank. He was in his 60's, had no teeth, wore about 6 layers of clothing and always had a cigarette in his mouth. Through different circumstances he had lost everything, had fallen out with his family, and now lived on the street. Like many homeless guys in this part
of town he was very chatty and we soon struck up a bit of a friendship. Every Friday we would discuss things from the weather to politics to church. We also talked a lot about his family and his dreams. He was a poet and an artist and had a dream of writing a book where both could be incorporated. I was able to pray with him and help him out financially on occasions, but often I was the one who came away the most blessed. Most often his language was choice and sometimes the topic of our conversation was not wholesome, but he would ask me questions that really searched my soul and I'd often walk away feeling challenged and provoked. I believe that Jesus was speaking through him to me. Who knows if he is a believer or not, but what I do know is that when I stopped and tried to help meet this guys needs, I felt closer to Jesus than I did in a lot of church services I went to. It was not my motive when spending time with him, but it happened.

Jesus came for those in need and he calls us to do the same. It's such a simple call, yet we (definitely me here) find it so hard to do as it requires leaving our comfort zones and plunging head first into the mess that is the world. But as we do, we find ourselves closer to Jesus than ever before. It will be hard and messy, but this is what we are here to do.

Lord, may we not miss you in those around us. May we not be so consumed with ourselves, that we neglect the needs of others. By your grace alone, Amen.

A friend of mine named Kelly, who inspires me in many ways, is living this out in Boystown Mexico. Check out her blog for more info.