So, how many times have you pictured the group the Word refers to as the sheep and the goats? None? O.K., maybe I’m a little weird. Ever since I was a small child, I would picture in my mind this large group, being led into a large green field, with The Good Shepard dividing them up… sheep to the right, goats to the left. I just simply saw them all bunched together, waiting for the day when their final rest was decided. However, in the seven years we’ve traveled since the horror of September 11, 2001, I find myself digging deeper for the message. No doubt many of you already know this, but I was unaware of the picture represented here. You see, the goats were used. They were used to LEAD the flock of sheep to their ultimate slaughter. The goats then, represent the religious leadership. I have no doubt that many are leading their flock to good pasture, to wisdom. No doubt, though, many have been and continue to lead people dependent upon them to an uncertain future. And so I urge this. If you are in leadership, be sure of what you are teaching. If you’re uncertain, admit it. Dig into The Word WITH your congregation, assuming nothing. Allow yourself to be taught again. If you are a member of a church, don’t rely upon your Pastor to explain the Word to you. Get into it, yourself. I highly recommend a tool you’ll find online, called the ‘Blue letter Bible’. Amos Ridley, (who in obedience to The Lord, podcasts an excellent program called Truth Stream Oasis) recommended this tool to his listeners. I took advantage of his recommendation. I am so very grateful this tool is at our disposal. Dig deep, and once you’re sure you know the meaning of the scripture, dig some more. You won’t, I assure you, be disappointed.
