The Sheep, the Goats, and the Brethren of Christ

The parable of the sheep and the goats, spoken by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46, is perhaps the most misapplied passage of all Scripture. But it should be one of the most powerful, for revealing and glorifying some of the key aspects of the evangelical model of God for his people, with regards to the Great Commission.

The topic of the parable is concerned with the judgments of the Son of Man, towards people of all nations, when he comes in his glory, based on whether or not acts of assistance and support were provided towards his brethren. These acts of assistance include provisions of food, drink, clothes, and shelter, and the support involves care for the sick and visitation of those in prison. The Son of Man is the King of heaven and earth, who sits at the right hand of the Throne of God with all power and authority.

The eternal judgments of God, for the righteous sheep or the cursed goats, on either hand, are the inheritance of his Kingdom or everlasting fire. The Son of Man is Jesus Christ, who is the King of the parable, and the irony is that neither party were aware of the decisive times in their lives when they ministered to him figuratively in the place of his brethren.

The theme of the parable makes a figurative correlation between the brethren of Christ and Christ himself, in that he counts the treatment of his brethren as treatment towards himself. To put this theme into context, as the Christian faith was first spread across the nations of the world, the disciples of Jesus went forth out from Jerusalem on the Great Commission, bringing nothing with them to offer the world, but the witness of the truth of God and his Kingdom, and the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. The brethren of Christ were those doing the will of God. What this shows is that Christ from heaven regards his brethren on earth, performing his will, as physical representatives of himself in the world.

Scriptures such as Titus 3:5 could not be any more clear, ¿Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life¿. Thus, knowing the real nature and significance behind the visible works of righteousness in the parable that somehow pertain to salvation, becomes crucial with respect to reconciling all Scripture, and understanding what is truly required for a Christian to be saved under the only rightful condition of obedience to the Gospel - that is by grace through faith in Christ.

A proper understanding and application of this parable can serve towards growth and blessings in God¿s Kingdom, whereas a heretical and misplaced interpretation, can greatly hinder and misdirect the people of God into unprofitable religious dissonance, undue bondage, and into serving other gods of this world. This study will expound upon this parable, along with other corresponding passages of Scripture, to foster a clear understanding and meaningful application of this elusive and fearful prophetic illustration. A proper understanding that does not diminish the Gospel, but instead highlights and harmonizes it in-line with the most consistent of biblical truths. Now to get into this study, let's start by reading the full passage of the parable.

Dettagli