Proper 29: Gospel, Matthew 25:31-46                              

Matthew 25:31-46

The Savior is returning. Done. It’s a given. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him …” (Matt. 25:31a). This is a surety that should and has driven the people of God to look to the glorious event over centuries with great anticipation. And it is a much anticipated day because with it will come a sure and final separation. Sheep and goats. Right and left. God will be the final arbiter (as he always is) and will announce the “why,” the “what” and will watch the final movement of sheep and goats to their final destination.

Why the separation? Because God, the Shepherd has appointed some to “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:34b). INHERIT! Not merit. It’s not new to the careful student of the Bible, but is always sweet news to the ears of God’s flock. We will enter His Kingdom as a gift. Period. Those who find “a different kingdom” will find it because they chose not to receive the Shepherd’s offer. Period.

But let’s look for a moment at “what.” By that I mean the characteristics of the sheep and goats. The sheep look at the service of which the Shepherd reminds them and in effect ask, “Are you sure we did all this? We don’t really remember.” The goats complain, “So when did we not do this? You should know. It wasn’t enough?” I don’t think I’m reading too much into the responses. One group's good works came so naturally to people who had received a gift, that their service was simply one of gratitude with no thought that it was scoring them points. The other group who spurned the good gifts of the Shepherd, relied on their good works and expected repayment. It’s not so much they lacked the works themselves, but what it was they expected to be attached to them. One group cried “Look at us,” while the other was simply and completely taken with the Shepherd.

It’s always that way. Separation in the end, on the final day will come because one group will focus on the gifts rather than the Giver. The life spawned in time certainly bears the distinction. Eternity will as well.