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The Parable of

THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS

Matthew 25:31-40

     During his whole life, Harry was told he would never amount to anything.  So, in his estimation, he never did.  He was a poor student in school and wound up dropping out before graduating.  Of course, he never went to college, and could only get menial jobs involving hard labor at low pay. 

     He was able to attract a wife due to his sunny disposition, but his marriage failed after twenty years, due to his tendency of bringing home strangers, and giving away what little money he had, usually at the expense of his family‘s luxuries.  His wife had been raised in an affluent family, and had trouble adapting to their meager lifestyle. 

     He made many friendships which lasted a lifetime, yet he could not hang on to his own children, for they chose their own paths which led away from him.  With his family gone, he spent more of his spare time doing volunteer work.  He went to the local hospital and found others there who had no family, who appreciated his companionship.  He also involved himself in the literacy program at a nearby jail; he enjoyed teaching them how to read.

     He eventually landed a desk job at a thriving company, but his quiet, diligent work went unnoticed by his superiors, therefore he never received significant promotions.  Though he was rich in friendships, he never accumulated any material wealth according to the world’s standards. 

     As he lie on his deathbed, he felt that he had lived a happy, satisfying life, yet he still felt sorry that he had never amounted to anything.  He thought his life had come and gone without ever having been able to leave his mark on the world.

     That’s why he was so surprised when he got to heaven.

     Jesus, who was seated on His throne and expecting him, waived him to His side.  “Come, you blessed of My Father”, Jesus said to him.  “Sit on My right hand, and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”

     Harry was perplexed.  “Lord”, he said, “when did I ever do those things for You?”

     Then the room began to fill with scores of people Harry had long ago forgotten.  They were the souls whose lives he had touched without realizing it.  They encircled him and welcomed him warmly.

     Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it unto Me.”

THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS  (Matthew 25:31-40)

     “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  All the nations will be gathered before Him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.  And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was 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, saying, ‘Lord, when did we wee You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and gave You drink?  When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”