Blessed Are the Wool Makers (matthew 25: 31-46 (11/20/11)

Today is Christ the King Sunday, a Sunday we designate to partake of the Lord’s Supper.  It is also the Sunday when we present our shoeboxes to be blessed as we prepare to ship these gifts all over the world. How appropriate that these themes converge on a Sunday which precedes a national holiday set aside to remember our many blessings.

Matthew 25 contains three parables, although the passage we look at today is not so much a parable as it is a word picture about the end times. It has been interpreted as Jesus’ warning to the Gentiles about how they are to treat the Jewish remnant that believes in him. It can also be interpreted more broadly as a similar warning to all of us that the manner is which we treat our fellow man will be the standard by which we will be judged. I want to ask you to do something for me before we go any further. I want you to think about two barnyard animals for a minute. Think about sheep and think about goats. I want you to imagine which of these two animals best describes you. Now I want you to stand up if you think you’re more like a goat. (Do this for sheep also). Now as the message unfolds, see if you want to change your mind.

A boy in Covington, Louisiana celebrates his fifth birthday by inviting friends to pack shoeboxes instead of bringing birthday gifts. A small rural church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania sends 173 shoeboxes, praising God that through the power of a simple gift, a small church can make a big impact on God’s kingdom. The shoeboxes are part of an effort called Operation Christmas Child, itself an outgrowth of Samaritan’s Purse,  an organization dedicated to the task of going to the aid of the world’s poor, sick and suffering. The shoeboxes contain school supplies, tee shirts, socks, shoes, and a little booklet entitled “The Greatest Gift of All.” Maybe that doesn’t sound like much, but to children who have nothing to call their own, it is quite a big deal.  Turns out it’s quite a big deal here too, to be part of such a great effort. Hundreds of thousands of shoeboxes will find their way to eager eyes, hands and hearts all over the world in just a few short weeks. In the aftermath of  celebration, there will be an opportunity to read those booklets, to share a word about the hope that is promised in our Savior, to witness to a new generation for Christ just waiting to be found, just wanting to be loved and accepted.

Jesus was concerned about such people. He told many stories about them and his concern for them. In the passage today, Jesus has left the Temple, both literally and symbolically, and he is at the end of what is called the Olivet Discourse, a series of sermons, lessons and parables delivered by Jesus to his disciples on the Mount of Olives just outside Jerusalem. In this parable, Jesus uses domestic animals to illustrate his point. He divides people into two classes. They are either sheep or they are goats.

Next week we begin the season of Advent, a time when we mark with anticipation the birth of Jesus. It is a time of great hope when we remember the incarnation of God the Son as incarnate man. But here, it is over thirty years later and deep into Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus talks to his disciples about the end times. He’s giving his disciples a glimpse of the Second Advent, that time at the end of the age when he returns in glory to judge all. He talks about coming back as a King, a King who will finally separate the righteous from the unrighteous.  His standard for judgment has little to do with earthly measure and everything to do with love and compassion.

When Jesus talks here about sheep and goats, he uses animals whose traits and behavior are familiar to most everyone. Many in the nation of Israel are still herdsmen and know about sheep and goats. Sheep are a passive group that learn and want to follow their leader. They are trusting and meek in nature. These little wool-makers have lots of traits that translate into good discipleship. By contrast, goats are more independent. They engage in shoving and butting, behavior unfamiliar to sheep. The prophet Ezekiel paints a picture of the Divine Shepherd re-gathering his flock and separating the selfishly strong from the weak. Jesus extends this analogy to the end times. Those who act with selfish power and oppression will be separated from those who are obedient. Dr. Tim Laniak, a religious author and seminary professor, puts it this way:

True to their independent nature, the “goats” are those who

have shown no compassion or mercy to others. They have

used their strength and independence only to serve themselves. The “sheep,” known for their responsive temperaments, have been kind and merciful to the marginalized—the poor, the

naked, the imprisoned, the stranger, the hungry and the sick.”  1

The Greek word for disciple is mathatas. It means follower. Disciples of Jesus are followers of Jesus. Here Jesus makes it clear to not only the Twelve, but to each of us who would call himself Christian, that discipleship is unselfish, that discipleship is sympathetic, that discipleship shows compassion and that it is best demonstrated in the way that we act toward those in our midst who can do absolutely nothing to advance us or our personal agendas.

          It has been said that the best definition of integrity is the way one acts when no one is looking. This definition can help us to understand what Jesus meant when he distinguished the righteous and unrighteous by a simple standard: Did you do it to the least in the crowd? Did you look after those who could not look after themselves? Did you do it quietly and without fanfare? Did you do it because your heart moved you to do it? If this is the way and those are the ones to whom you extended a helping hand, then you did it to Jesus himself.

          Theologian William Barclay tells a story about Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier and a Christian. One cold winter day he was stopped at a city gate by a beggar. Martin had no money at the time, but seeing the beggar blue and shivering with cold, he tore his coat in two and gave half to the beggar. In a dream that night, Martin was in heaven and saw Jesus wearing half a Roman soldier’s cloak. When one of the angels questioned it, Jesus answered softly: “My servant Martin gave it to me.”

          What is it you really need today? Think about it for a moment. Your clock and your calendar are about to run out and the Master is on his way to judge and to separate. What is it you really need? What are your credentials? Have you visited someone in need? Fed someone hungry and given drink to someone thirsty? Looked after the sick, clothed someone who needed it? Have you invited a stranger in?  If you have, thank God for you. If you haven’t, it’s not too late. Not today, it isn’t. What is it you really need today? If you can think of something more important than salvation, please come up here and preach it.

          When you read today’s Scripture, be sure you read all of it, for it has application to everyone. Not only does it promise salvation to those who are obedient; it also promises eternal punishment to those who aren’t. That’s the way judgment works with God. He created us all for the kingdom. If we opt out, there are consequences. Don’t be a goat. Reach out and touch someone. Do it today. It doesn’t matter the form it takes. It can be a visit to a shut-in or a shoebox to a little girl in the Sudan or a slice of apple pie to a neighbor. Just do it from the heart and watch God go to work in your life. It will fill your heart with all that God wants for you.

           Now that you know the rest of the story, I want to give you an opportunity to change your preference. How many here would like to be a sheep instead of a goat from now on?  Good!

“For inasmuch as you have done it for the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” Whenever you see one of those folks who might be called the least in his kingdom, look out. You just might be putting your cloak on Jesus himself.      

1 Laniak, Timothy, While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks, ShepherdLeader Publications, 2007, p.153, 154.