“Sheep And Goat!”

“Sheep And Goat!”(Mt.25:31-46)[11/12/2024].
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all his angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left…”
Mungaka speakers have “mbii” as a generic name for both goat and sheep. The sheep is called “ndzæm mbii” while the goat is called “mbii nkoh.'”
The Mungaka speakers are correct in their generalisation as both animals have a common origin.
The sheep is a gentle animal, often exhibiting naive behaviour that is often interpreted as dullness. The sheep is also used to show the loving relationship between God/Christ as shepherd and the obedient sheep.
On the other hand, the goat seems to be a representation of (d)evil. It was on the head of a goat that the priest put all the sins of Israel, after which it was led to the desert, and another one sacrificed as a sin offering(Lev.16:7-10).
The Son of Man already pronounces his verdict by the mere act of separating the sheep and the goat. Again, this was determined by God from the beginning of time. “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance,the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world…'”
In the same way, those on the left – the goats – will face eternal damnation “prepared for the devil and his angels…”
We note that the inheritance of the kingdom or the punishment of eternal fire depends on whether we showed love or not.
This show of love does not override grace. It is not about merit; if it is by merit, grace wouldn’t be grace.
We may be saved by grace, but our show of love through life-saving deeds soothes the heart of the Judge.
My friend, Christmas, Christ’s birthday may be around the corner; but what if that day is not the celebration of the incarnation? What if that day is the day of the coming of the Son of Man as King and Judge? Will he put you to his right as a sheep or to his left as a goat?
A sheep has fewer hormones than the goat, but the sheep is the chosen! If you are already a sheep, good for you. If you are a goat, double your effort of love acts.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, dwell in us and guide us to deeds of love. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.