God Loves Goats Too! by Betty Ruth Fox
Matthew 25: 31-46
“[A]nd he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ . . . Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
Matthew talks about separating people as a shepherd separates goats from sheep. I do not have much experience with sheep, but I do with goats. You see, my granddaddy had a herd of goats and we spent a lot of time following them and the trails they made. On occasion we would playfully challenge the “lead goat” that would run out in front of the herd to challenge us back. We learned from our experiences that goats are curious wanderers. They are independent and make trails. Typically they cannot be fenced in.
On the other hand, from what I have been told, sheep are submissive and tend to stay close in their flock and to not wander. I have also read that sheep have a closer relationship with mankind which I believe is the point of the scripture.
Whether sheep-like or goat-like, God calls us to help feed, clothe, welcome and care for others in need, including those we do not know. Recognizing these needs may be easier for sheep-like people, but we are all called to help fill them.
Dear God, please help me to take time and be aware of those around me who have needs I can help fill. Help me to fill those needs that I can. We ask these things in thy precious name. Amen.
Other Readings: Lev. 19: 1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19: 7-14.