Mathew 10, 2025: Are You a Sheep or a Goat?

I once met a man named Joseph at a soup kitchen. He was homeless, quiet, and kept to himself. One evening, after serving him a warm meal, I sat beside him and started a conversation. He told me about his past—how he lost his job, how his family turned away, and how he felt invisible to the world. Before he left that night, he shook my hand and said, "Thank you for seeing me. Most people just walk by."

That moment stayed with me. It reminded me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:31-46, where He describes the final judgment. He separates the people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The sheep are those who fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and imprisoned. The goats, on the other hand, ignored those in need. Jesus' words are both comforting and unsettling because they force us to ask ourselves: Where do I stand?

Seeing Christ in Others

It’s easy to claim faith, but Jesus calls us to live it out. He tells us that every act of kindness—every meal given, every visit made, every hand extended—is done unto Him. But how often do we walk past those in need, assuming someone else will help? How often do we say a prayer but not extend a hand?

I think of a time I was rushing to a meeting and saw a woman struggling to carry her groceries. I felt the nudge to help, but my schedule was tight, so I walked on. That evening, as I reflected on my day, I felt convicted. Would I have ignored her if she were Jesus? That thought pierced my heart.

The Challenge of Compassion

Loving others is not always convenient. It requires us to step beyond our comfort zones. It asks us to sacrifice time, money, and even pride. But Jesus didn’t call us to a comfortable faith—He called us to a compassionate one.

The beauty of Matthew 25 is that the sheep didn’t even realize they were serving Christ. Their kindness was not for show; it was a natural outpouring of love. That’s the kind of heart God desires in us—not one that helps for recognition, but one that loves because it sees Christ in every person.

A Personal Reflection

Ask yourself today: Am I a sheep or a goat? Do I notice the needs around me, or do I turn away? Have I served someone this week, not out of obligation, but out of genuine love?

Jesus makes it clear—our faith is revealed in our actions. And the greatest act of faith is love.

So, who will you see today? Who will you serve? Because when we love the least, we love Christ Himself.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." – Matthew 25:40