Through the Eyes of Christ

Colin Bird

Mathew 25:31-46 “The Sheep and the Goats”

Today’s teaching by Jesus taken from the Gospel of Mathew is so very different from his earlier teachings. For in the previous chapters Jesus talks a lot in parables. But in this text, he is looking to the future explaining in detail what is to come. It is not a parable where we can draw our own conclusions from any veiled message held within. This is a statement of truth coming directly from the mouth of Jesus. It tells us that God watches the way we live our lives and the way we live through and handle the issues that confront us day by day. Jesus says quite plainly that one day, each of us will stand before the King and give an account of our actions and the consequences of the decisions made during our time on earth will determine whether we are directed to the left or to the right. This passage can be considered, by some, to be quite controversial. We have all heard Jesus’ teachings on grace: and we have heard God described as a loving and merciful King ready to forgive our every sin. So is God going to grant us grace or is he going to hold our sins to account? Everything we have learnt about God’s grace is true. He does, indeed stand ready to forgive every sin and act of disobedience. But God also has expectations of how his people are to live their lives. As Christians and followers of Christ, we are set apart for Gods special purpose and as such, we are all saints. Giving and doing does not make us Saints. There are many good people out there in the world doing great works of charity. Giving and doing for the right reason, however, proves that we are saints. James said “faith by itself, if not accompanied by action is dead. Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do”. Generosity, kindness and compassion are part of the DNA of a Christian. So, what does our lifestyle say about us? According to Jesus’ word we will recognise the sheep and the goats by the way they live their lives. Sheep graciously share what they have, paying particular attention to those in desperate need. Goats want to keep what they have for themselves. Sheep see others in distress and are moved to compassion. Goats see others in distress and are moved to ignore. In short when goats see a homeless person sitting on the pavement in the street, they see a homeless person. When sheep see a homeless person sitting on the pavement in the street, they see Jesus. Few of us have the makings of Mother Teressa. We will probably never be called on to help the destitute and dying off the streets and into our homes. But chances are that God will place suffering people in our paths in one way or another. They may not prove to be grateful for our help and more likely they will be inconvenient, even annoying. But we ignore them at our peril. Not only are the poor always with us, but also the frail, the addicted, the challenged, the depressed, the troubled and the aged…… they are in our town, in our neighbourhood…… even our families. They are of every age, race and condition. But they have one unifying characteristic. They, like each and every one of us, are made in the image and likeness of God. Their immortal souls reflect their maker. They are God’s beloved and Jesus died for each one of them just as he did for us. No matter their condition, we as Christians must acknowledge they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are expected to love them! The Gospels command us to look past their brokenness and blemishes, to see the beauty of Christ beaming back at us. But to see the essence within them we must somehow learn to see through the eyes of love…. through the eyes of Christ. Jean Vanier, someone who has dedicated his life to the care of the developmentally challenged, commenting on the impact those with special need have on our lives writes “I am not sure we can really understand the message of Jesus, if we haven’t listened to the weak, to people who have been pushed aside, ignored, humiliated and seen of no value. At the same time through them we see that we too are broken. Our handicaps are the handicap of power…of elitism…..of valueless values.” Do you recognise ant of those traits in yourself?....... I don’t think I would have to dig too deep to find a few of them in me. Our vision of what surround us is impaired by our vision of self. In our Gospel reading the same scenario is presented and commented on by Jesus to two separated groups. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat…..you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…..you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in… you did not invite me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me…. you did not cloth me. I was sick and you looked after me…… you did not look after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me….. you did not look after me. The interesting and most important part of this message comes from their response. Both groups reply “Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and cloth you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? Jesus responds “Whatever you did (did not do) for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did (did not do) for me. Earlier I commented that when sheep see distress they are led to compassion. When goats see distress, they ignore. Jesus is saying that everyone is created in the image of God and are all equal in his sight. The sheep saw these people in situations of need and distress as though through the eyes of Jesus and reacted with compassion. For them it was the most natural thing to do. So much so that they were not even aware that what they were doing was borne out of righteousness until it was pointed out to them by Jesus. Their selflessness was an outward expression of their faith and of love for their fellow beings. The goats by contrast, saw the same people but through eyes with vision impaired by selfishness, a lack of concern and chose to ignore them. Throughout Jesus ministry he saw people of all walks of life. Rich, poor sick, troubled, thieves, sinners, liars, adulterers, young and old, hard workers and lay abouts, yet the only expression of emotion He had for them as individuals was love. Jesus’ anger at the moneychangers at the temple was directed at their actions not at them as individuals. Jesus et meals with tax collectors and even those who were bent on killing him, he asked his Father to forgive them because they did not know what they were doing. If we are to be counted amongst the sheep, we need to see the world through the eyes of Jesus. To laugh with those who are happy and share in their joy. To weep with those who are grieving, to comfort those who suffer and council those who are distressed. Recognise the needs in others and do what we can to help. To admonish those who have lost their way and support them on the journey to find their way back. To teach our children and in all things be forgiving. And above all, do these things with the same love that Jesus showed. How impaired is your vision? Specsavers can help to an extent. They may help you read the scriptures more clearly. But we need more than that. We need the Holy Spirit to remove the scale from our eyes just like he did when Saul was blinded so that when he opened his eyes, he saw the Glory of the Lord all around. Saw it through the eyes of Jesus. May our prayer for today and moving forward be that we will always see the world anew through the loving eyes of Jesus.
A new day, a new vision, a new opportunity to ask, “What Would Jesus Do”. And then…….Just Do It!
Amen.