The sheep didn't recognize Jesus in the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned stranger
but they provided help anyway. The goats didn't recognize Jesus either but it
sounds like if they had they would have done something about it. That’s why
this text is not about works righteousness and neither the reward nor
punishment is about what you do or don’t do. It is about who you are because
“being” and “doing” is the same thing. The sheep were motivated by the obvious need
of others and did what they could to alleviate the suffering of the Jesus
hidden in the sick and isolated. For whatever reason the goats were not
motivated by the obvious need of others and so did nothing to help the Jesus
hiding in plain sight. So if you see this text as primarily about gaining
reward or avoiding punishment you've missed the point and perhaps the Jesus
hiding in the needs of others. It should not come as a surprise to those who
claim Christ as King that God is interested in the welfare of those who live on
the margins, after all Jesus was born into poverty and died a naked, thirsty
stranger imprisoned by nail and wood.
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