Matthew chapter 25 contains several parables that deal with the end of time and where people will spend eternity. Humanity is divided into groups known as sheep and goats. As I was thinking about this verse, it struck me that once again, we see the difference between how God views things and how the world sees them. I know this is a bit of a stretch, but humor me. In recent years, we have taken the word “goat” and transformed it into an acronym meaning “greatest of all time.” Everybody wants to be a goat. But there is coming a day when being a goat will not be a good thing.

While a list is given of things that sheep do and goats don’t do, it boils down to those who have accepted or rejected Jesus as their Savior. The parable of the sheep and goats also shows us that God is not fooled by those who pretend to be sheep, but in reality, they are goats. This is one of those times when “if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it must be a duck” doesn’t hold water. Except it’s a goat, not a duck. Outward appearances do not define who we are in God’s eyes.

As I was writing this devotional, this song kept going over and over in my mind. It doesn’t seem to have much to do with sheep and goats, but there must be a reason for it, so here it is…

You came from heaven to earth,
To show the way.
From the earth to the cross,
My debt to pay.
From the cross to the grave,
From the grave to the sky,
Lord, I lift Your name on high.

It’s better to be a sheep than a goat!