In this parable we see a picture of the end times. We listen as the King, Jesus himself, returns and gathers all the nations before him. Then he separates people individually as a shepherd would do with sheep and goats.

And we wonder, of course, “Am I a sheep or a goat?”

Jesus says to the sheep, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Notice that the sheep are astounded by the reason they are given this great reward. They fed the hungry, clothed the naked, invited the stranger, comforted the sick and imprisoned, and it seems they didn’t even realize they were living out Jesus’ kingdom values as they did those things. Perhaps showing Christ’s love everywhere had become so natural that they didn’t realize they were doing it.

This parable also shows that Jesus isn’t fooled by false people who only call him “Lord” and do not live by his values.

Here we are reminded that when we truly believe in Jesus as Savior, his Spirit, who gives us that belief and faith, motivates us to share his love also. With the Spirit at work in us, doing good becomes almost second nature—and this is all by God’s grace!