The Sheep on the Right and the Goats on the Left - Matthew 25:33

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse thirty-three of his book, Matthew writes what Jesus said He will do with, “the sheep” and “the goats” where we read:

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

The verse reads, “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand,” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “and he shall set” which means “and Jesus will put, place, fix, establish and make firm” “the sheep” or “the four footed tame animals who are accustomed to graze” “on his right hand” which means “on Jesus' right hand of authority and power”. Matthew shared how Jesus will place the “sheep” nations on His “right hand” which is the “hand” of “power, authority, honor and rule”.

The verse continues, “... but the goats on the left.” Matthew added Jesus' word, “but” which means “however, nonetheless, moreover and” “the goats” or “the kids or small goat nations” “on the left” which means “on Jesus' left hand which was regarded as the dishonorable side” . Matthew shared how Jesus said the “goat nations” would be placed upon His “left hand” of dishonor.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how there will be a “separation” of the “nations” before Jesus' throne. He will put “nations” that follow Him on His “right hand” of authority and honor, and the nation that rejects and refuses to follow Him shall be put on His “left hand” of dishonor and disgrace. We shall learn more of the results for these placements in the verses ahead, but let us know God desires every person to be a part of the “sheep” nations that will be on His “right hand” of honor, and those who are wise will submit themselves to Him and be there.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus says, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.