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Halli Halo! How are you all? Well, I would first like to apologize for my inconsistency in posting my blogs. But here now we're back with a bang! My church theme this year is "Realigning for Reassigning". So many pastors have talked about it the whole year and praise God that whatever was prophesied for the church this year was on par with the theme. I was supposed to write my version of it at the beginning of the year but it got procrastinated till almost the end of the year. But we will have a look on what this theme meant to me in a little different manner. Again, this is the shallow version of what I could possibly write. Please bare with me.
The given verse for this theme was Matthew 25:33. If we could have a look at what happened throughout the chapter, Jesus was explaining some kind of division that was visible in the parable of The Ten Virgins and subsequent parables in this chapter. But towards the end He goes on to say that on that day Jesus comes again to judge the world before establishing His everlasting kingdom, He will form a division between 2 groups of people that are likened to sheep and goats. He said He will put the sheep on His right and goats on the left. And then He explain what will be done to them. This is the scenario. But how did it appear to me?
Why sheep? Why goats? What was he trying to say? Actually in those days when Jesus lived on Earth, He was in an era where most people herd sheep and had goats as well. He likened the groups of people to these animals to let the people grasp the idea of what He was trying to say. Sheep and goats, though might seem similar to some, they have massive differences. Jesus referred the 'positive' people to the sheep and the 'negative' to the goats. That doesn't mean goats are evil but they were used as comparisons. So when He was telling what will happen on The Judgement Day, He said there will be a clear and distinctive division between the 2 groups of people.
Firstly, I would like to divide this post to 2 parts:
a) Why sheep and goat?
b) How is He going to divide?
a) Why sheep and goats?
Sheep and goats have few similarities but massive differences. Once a pastor spoke entirely on their characters and I found out that it was way too many to slot it into my post. But I would like to underline few notable ones. Sheep generally heed the voice of a shepherd, only ONE SHEPHERD. Sheep are considered to be dependable animals in the sense that though they roam around, they need a steerer, a shepherd to direct them. They can't make decisions for themselves and if they did, most of those decisions are disastrous. In contrast, goats are more independent in the sense that they more cunning, stubborn and rebellious. They often have the mentality of being greater than sheep. They often mix around with the sheep because sheep will get to feed on juicy grasses and the goats will join the feast with them. Sheep however wouldn't recognize their presence as they are considered a little "slow". Besides all, sheep are very faithful and obedient. They will never rebel against the word of their shepherd. They will always stick together with other sheep and never go alone. No matter where they are, the moment their shepherd calls them, they will return. Similarly, God expects His children to be as the sheep, heeding His voice all the time. Unlike the goats, we are supposed to entirely depend on God for instructions but upon instructions we should act on it and not laze on it. There are actually more characters to be compared and would spice up the flow. If I can edit it with those additions, I will do it soon.
b) How is He going to divide?
This is where the best part is. How is He going to divide? Most of us know, though humanity is divided by vast religions, races and so on, we stand as one big human race. Literally, the sheep and goats are mixed together in this world. Though they might have lived separate lives or even some lived a non-different life, yet it's difficult for a man to analyse everyone and separate them. Some people think God will call out names to stand in the right and the left. I say they are influenced by movies. Seriously, God has more efficient ways to do it. John 10:27 tells us that Jesus says that My sheep will know My voice and I know them and they follow Me. Simple, like how sheep recognise their shepherd's voice very precisely, we will be ultramost sensitive to our shepherd's voice and follow His commands moving to the right. And for those who didn't even get a chance to hear and for those who heard but neglected, they will be left to be in the left.
For an example, there was a military camp near Country A's border and they camped there and had tough trainings day and night to prepare themselves to attack the Country B army. One day, an army officer from the Country B silently entered the camp A, killed an officer and disguised as him to enter the troop to know their secrets. Country A had an army rule that during the morning trainings, those who fail to follow the general's command shall be shot dead. So this disguised officer then entered the morning training thinking that it might possibly the same commands. So when the general started to give commands, at the beginning he was able to follow it precisely. But when the general gave a command that was designed specially, the officer did the wrong thing and sadly he was shot dead right there. An example though!
Similarly, many think it's easy to follow God's command just by doing charitable works. It is way more than that. At the beginning it might seem the same, goats and sheep will be seen together. But then when Jesus comes, one group of people will go to the right (eternal life) and one to the left (eternal doom). Because there are some special commands designed only for those who follow Jesus. The command is simple and universal. Love, and yes it is love. When you find love, you will find Jesus; When you find Jesus, you will find love. This isn't about a group of people God is talking about but He wants everyone to he His sheep and not goats. The command of love is the one that leads to the charitable works that is mentioned in the last verses in this chapter. Love that urged the charitable works and not expectations or emotions or popularity.
If you read those verses, it is said that "You didn't feed me... You didn't clothe me.... You didn't visit me..." It means Jesus is in everyone and it is us who have to acknowledge His call to accept Him. Not by force but by love. When His children do charity, they see Christ in the people while others see justifications and corrections to reduce the effect of Karma.
So this is the much the theme brought light to me and again there is more that I really want to tell but with limited sources I cannot do so. I will soon try post an update on this on how we can efficiently be sensitive to His voice.
Till then, take care. God bless.
