The Sheep and the Goats

Jesus told a story about the day He will judge everyone:

When Jesus comes back in all His glory, every person who ever lived will stand before Him. He'll separate them into two groups—like a shepherd separates sheep from goats.

To the SHEEP on His right, Jesus will say: 'Come! You're blessed! Enter the kingdom My Father prepared for you. Because when I was hungry, you fed Me. When I was thirsty, you gave Me water. When I was a stranger, you welcomed Me. When I needed clothes, you gave Me some. When I was sick or in prison, you visited Me.'

The sheep will be confused. 'Lord, when did we ever do those things for YOU?'

Jesus will answer: 'Whenever you helped the least important person, you were helping ME.'

Then to the GOATS on His left, Jesus will say: 'Go away. When I was hungry, you didn't feed Me. When I was thirsty, you gave Me nothing. When I was a stranger, you ignored Me. When I was sick or in prison, you didn't visit.'

The goats will say, 'Lord, when did we see You and not help?'

Jesus will answer: 'Whenever you DIDN'T help the least important person, you were ignoring ME.'

This is serious! Jesus says how we treat other people—especially poor, sick, lonely people—shows what's in our hearts.

When you help someone in need, you're serving JESUS. When you ignore them, you're ignoring Him.