Sheep and Goats
Rev. G. C. Hammond
When I was 14 years old I went with my best friend, Dave, to spend a weekend on a farm which his brother, Tom, was managing. It was an interesting and divergent experience from my suburban life!
Early in the afternoon, Tom sent us out to herd in the sheep which had been let out to pasture (as I think of it now, compared to sheep I’ve seen around here, these were very small sheep). As we lazily walked along, we paused by a willow tree and we each plucked a long switch with which to duel.
As we walked around behind the sheep we started to move them back toward the pen. They seemed to understand the routine and went willingly, if not quickly. We walked ahead to the gate, and stood there calling in the sheep. They picked up speed as they approached the gate and trotted through. We “helped” them along by tapping them on the backside with our switches as they went past.
Every once in a while we’d catch sight of a little goat in with the sheep herd. While in the process of “helping” the sheep with our switches, and not really paying much attention as we talked, Dave “helped” the backside of one of the little goats, who stopped dead in its tracks and looked at us with a menacing look. We started to back up and the goat charged us! Fortunately, these goats were so small that we were able to absorb his attempts to butt us by putting up the sole of our boots, and allowing him to crash into them. But that goat chased us all the way back to barn, and slammed one last time into the door as we shut it in its face on its final charge!
We told Tom about the experience, and he said, “Oh, yea. I forgot to tell you about that. The goats like to run with the sheep. But the goats are not sheep. They will not be shepherded.”
That experience comes back to me every time I read the words of Jesus:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matt. 25:31-32).
The Son of Man, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, has appointed undershepherds to shepherd his sheep, the pastors and elders of the Church. But sometimes in among the sheep are goats. In a herd, they’ll hardly be noticed. They like to run with the sheep, but they are not sheep. And the difference can be seen just precisely in this: whereas sheep like to be shepherded, goats resent and resist being shepherded.
Which leads to a question: How would you respond if one of the elders asked you questions about your spiritual life? About what struggles you were having? About what areas of sin you wrestle with? What if he inquired as to whether you were forgiving others as God has forgiven you? What if one of the elders opened the Word of God to give you counsel without asking him to? What if ever the elders came to you and said, “We need to talk to you about a concern that we have regarding your spiritual well-being,” or about your behavior; or something that you’re doing that is having a negative effect on your brothers and sisters? What would your response be? Would you exhibit a meek joy at being shepherded, or resentment, anger and resistance? In other words, would you show the nature of a sheep, or a goat?
The question is not insignificant. Goats may enjoy running with the sheep for now, partaking in the benefits of the flock. They may cause only minor disturbance to the flock, even while causing great heartache to the Master’s shepherds (Heb. 13:17), who must endure the pain of getting “butted” every time they try to shepherd the goat in the sheepfold. But goats will not get to stay in the flock forever. When the Son of Man comes, he has very different destinations in mind for the then-segregated sheep and goats.
It is the job of shepherds to shepherd. But to effectively shepherd requires the presence of sheep. As Tom said, “Goats can’t be shepherded.” So what about you? Are you a sheep, or a goat?
1 Peter 5:1-11: So I exhort the elders among you,
as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,
not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;
not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
3 not domineering over those in your charge,
but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd appears,
you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another,
for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
6 Humble yourselves, therefore,
under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.
9 Resist him, firm in your faith,
knowing that the same kinds of suffering
are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
10 And after you have suffered a little while,
the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ,
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
"Goats are not sheep. They will not be shepherded."
