"The Sheep and the Goats"
a condensed version of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, November 23, 2008 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.

PODCAST of "The Sheep and the Goats"

Sheep and goats are similar

• Both have hooves
• Both are herbivores
• They have similar lifespans (in the wild from 7-13 years)
• Both are considered to be "The first domesticated animal" from about 10,000 years ago (Iran)
• Both thrive best in herds
• Though from different species – there have been instances of sheep-goat hybrids that have survived.
• Geneticists have also produced sheep-goat chimera – animals having cells from both sheep and goats (they’ve also been called "geep")
• Both are considered "clean" animals by Jewish custom
• Both make similar sounds (it’s called "bleating")

Sheep and goats are different

• They have different tails (goat tails are short and upturned – sheep tails are longer and they hang down.)
• Beards – male goats have them – sheep don’t
• Curiosity: Goats are inquisitive and somewhat playful. Sheep . . . aren’t

As symbols in this week’s Bible reading from Matthew 25:31-46, sheep and goats appear to be very different.

• Goats represent those who claim to follow God yet ignore the needs of their neighbor.
• Sheep represent those who claim to follow God and live that claim unaware.

There are many ideas and interpretations as to exactly who these sheep and goats are and what they really represent.

• They represent populations – nations – not necessarily individuals
• They really only refer to those who follow God – and how they care for those who are missionaries
• They represent individuals – every person on the planet
• They are us – at the time when Jesus returns to judge everyone and to set things right

Lots more we can talk about as to exactly how the puzzle pieces go together. After all, it’s a parable – meant to spark conversation—meant to inspire more and more questions. And today let me pose this one:

How are these sheep and goats alike?

One answer: They’re judged on how they treat the marginalized in society.

Hungry

Sick

Poor

In prison

 

I was hungry and you blamed the government

I was thirsty and you told me to wait

I was a stranger and you said go back where you belong

I was naked and you set up a commission to study the problem

I was sick and you said I shouldn’t be

I was in prison and you said it was my fault

 

I was hungry and you fed your wallets

I was thirsty and you metered my water

I was a stranger and you set up refugee camps

I was naked and you felt sorry for me

I was sick and you made me pay back our debt first

I was in prison and you forgot about me

How else are these sheep and goats alike? They have a choice. We have a choice. We can choose to be like the sheep or like the goats. It's not the only time in the Bible where we see choices presented to us. Way back in the book of Joshua, Joshua, who was near death, said this

Joshua 24:14-16 (NRSV) ¹⁴"Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. ¹⁵Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose and you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

The choice: either follow God . . . or don't

As followers of Christ we ARE a people who feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick and visit those who are in prison. We reach out in Christ's name to others. It's not because we are trying to earn something. We do it because it is part of our very nature as followers of Christ.

Right now – a few are thinking, "But what about folks who aren’t Christian? What about folks who are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu . . .?

OK – First – this passage wasn’t written to folks from other faiths. It’s not about the four spiritual laws and nowhere is there anything written about saying a particular prayer or having Jesus as a personal savior. Second --This parable is about how we care for the marginalized – the outcast. Finally -- All of humanity – whatever religion – or no religion – can recognize the need – the necessity of caring for ‘the least of these."

So here are a few ideas – recognizing that need – that necessity. Maybe they’re al little over-the-top – But they are definitely possible:

• I was hungry and you (Had a banquet in my honor)
• I was a stranger and you (introduced me to all of your friends)
• I was naked and you (took on a shopping spree)
• I was sick and you (made me chicken soup)
• I was in prison and you (told me that God loves me no matter what)

What are some others you can think of?

I think we all desire to serve our brothers and sister. And we all probably fail at doing the right thing without realizing it.

So how do we get to a place where we are following Jesus and serving our brother and sister without realizing it?

We have to practice. We have to do it while realizing it -- not realizing it and patting ourselves on the back -- but planning and realizing it and repeating it so that it become something that is natural.

We can make 'to do' lists, write it on our calendars, put it on the fridge, send ourselves emails, post it on our Facebook pages, text it to ourselves . . . a plan to do something to care for ‘the least of these’.

If we repeat 'doing the right thing’ enough, eventually we'll do it without thinking about it. And at that point we'll become unaware that we're even doing it. Simple, right?

What's not so simple is what 'doing the right thing' means. What's not so simple is how exactly to care for ‘the least of these’. We all have opinions about what it means to help our brother or sister. We all have opinions about what it means to use our time and money wisely in accordance with what God wants us to do. We all have opinions about how Jesus would have us respond in situations. I don't pretend to have the only or even most correct opinion on matters like that. But I still offer this:

Whether or not you consider yourself to be a follower of Jesus, make a commitment to serve your brother and sister in a tangible, significant way for the next month. And then make a commitment to do it again next month. Do it for six months straight. (repeat this phrase a few times)

And every time you forget – know that God is giving you another chance. Start again by reading this morning’s passage or re-reading or listening to today’s sermon about the sheep and the goats.

Close with prayer.

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