Devotion: Be a Sheep, Not a Goat

Take a moment to read the scripture from the weekend: Matthew 25:31-26:2

Jesus is just a few days away from the cross when he tells his disciples and the gathered crowd about the sheep and the goats. He’s using the days he has left to discuss signs of the end times and his second coming, and he repeats earlier points about righteousness.

Jesus uses parables to reiterate some of what he taught earlier, but when it comes to the sheep and the goats, he’s very clear: Don’t be a goat. Instead, be a sheep: follow me, and do as I have done and you will inherit God’s kingdom.

This long, last sermon in Matthew chapters 25 and 26 connects to his first major and also his longest sermon, The Sermon on the Mount, which includes the Beatitudes – the series of “Blessed Are…” statements in which Jesus explains righteousness.

The story of the sheep and the goats recalls the fifth Beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matt. 5:7) This verse, in turn, connects to the Old Testament, where David says of God, “With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless.” (Ps. 18:25, ESV) Clearly, mercy is important to God.

Like grace, mercy can’t be earned. It is a choice on the part of the giver. It recognizes human frailty and human mistakes, and that life isn’t fair. And that sometimes, people have only poor choices available to them. 

God gave incredible mercy to us when he offered his only son in our place on the cross: our sins are forgiven because Jesus, God incarnate, died for them. God loves us so much, he wants us with him in heaven forever!

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks and glory to God for his great love expressed to us in mercy.

Merciful God, move my heart to mercy. Let me give it freely, and with joy. Let it pass through me, to those who need to experience your love and forgiveness. Amen.

Written by Cheryl Stubbendieck

Cheryl Stubbendieck is a member of Sheridan’s Devotion Writing Team and leads the Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study at Sheridan. She and her husband Jim have two sons: Aaron, his wife Chaitra and their son Theo live in Houston; Reed lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma.