Intro

Separating things is part of daily life. We separate apples and oranges, cows and horses, boys and girls, Canadians and Americans, Liberals and Conservatives, and on and on. We are familiar with separation.  What we find unsettling in today’s passage is not the separation of sheep and goats, but the finality of the verdict for the goats.

As Jesus sits on the Mt. of Olives and overlooks Jerusalem, he concludes his message to his disciples. This Olivet Discourse began in response to a question of Jesus’ disciples: “What will be the signs of your coming and the end of the age?”  

In the first part of his message, Jesus addressed events around the fall of Jerusalem and his future return. In the second part, he provided lessons on how to live prepared for his return.  Now, in the third part, 25:31-46, he vividly portrays the final judgement.

Our passage addresses what is of utmost importance:  the eternal destiny of humanity. It is a word that Jesus speaks, not with a spirit of anger and retribution, but with wisdom, integrity, and compassion. 

1. The Sovereignty of the Judge (vs. 31-33)
2. The Summons of the Sheep (vs. 34-40)
3. The Sentencing of the Goats (vs. 41-45)
4. The Separation at the End (vs. 46)

Reflection Questions:

1. If you are a follower of Jesus, are you identifying fully with Jesus and his disciples?

2. If you are not yet a disciple of Jesus, do you want to belong to Jesus or do you want to remain separated from Him and go your own way?