30 APRIL

SHEEP OR GOAT?

“And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:33–34)

There are some breeds of sheep and goats that look very similar and most often non shepherds find it difficult to distinguish them. One physical difference is their tail position: a sheep’s tail hangs down while a goat’s tail is frequently held up vertically. Another is that a sheep grows wool while a goat grows hair. Also, sheep horns tend to be thicker and curved but goat horns are narrower and usually straighter.

As a child I could not tell the difference between sheep and goats except that sheep were assumed to be foolish. There is an Igbo saying: “e na ezuzu ka atulu”, meaning “You are as foolish as a sheep”. You can imagine my “dismay” at our Lord’s choice of the perceived “foolish” sheep over the “smart” goat.

Sheep tend to adhere tightly to flock mentality and can appear aloof to humans but follow their shepherd without questions (completely obedient and submissive– sheepish); whereas goats tend to be much more independent and curious. This difference often makes people assume sheep are less intelligent than goats. But are they?

The King of Kings, the good Shepherd wants sheep, Christians who know His voice, to humbly follow Him in complete trust and obedience. On the judgement day, He will easily separate those who followed Him, the sheep, from those who went their own way, the goats. Jesus, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah will lead the great army of “sheep” to victory over the earth and they will live and reign with Him eternally.

ACTION: Choose to be an obedient “foolish” sheep and gain eternal life than a disobedient “smart” goat and lose eternal life.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to be completely obedient to you.