Matthew 25:31–34, 41
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. 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. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance—the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’ … Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
This passage grips me every time I read it—not just for its dramatic finality, but for the quiet truth tucked in the heart of it: He is the one who does the separating.
I paused. Could it be that some will walk this earth unsure of where they truly belong—goat or sheep—until that moment? I believe so. And it moved me to pray:
Lord, let me not carry an inflated view of my walk with You. Let me not confuse activity with intimacy, proximity with obedience. Your Word is clear on what defines the sheep: those who know Your voice, follow Your way, and walk in love. Yet I know my heart can be deceitful. Teach me to walk humbly, ever dependent on Your grace and mercy—the very things that empower me to remain a sheep. Thank You that I’m not saved by my doing, but by Your blood. For my “doing” can be fickle, but Your blood never fails.
I wanted to go deeper. Why does a shepherd separate sheep from goats in the first place? The answer, I discovered, is profoundly practical—and deeply spiritual.
Different Appetites
Sheep and goats have different dietary needs. Goats are more aggressive foragers, eating almost anything, while sheep need guided feeding.
Holy Spirit, what is the state of my appetite today? What am I hungering for? Is my spiritual diet reflective of one who longs for righteousness, or have I become comfortable feasting on what simply satisfies my flesh? Shine Your light on my hidden cravings—purify my desires.
Behavioral Differences
Goats are independent, curious, and prone to wandering; sheep are inclined to stay together, needing the safety of the flock.
This pierced me. I know the verse—“Do not forsake the gathering of the saints.” I know the early church met from house to house. And yet, in this season, community has been hard.
Lord, help me rebuild. Remind me that isolation may feel safe, but it is not where I thrive. Show me where to gather. Lead me to those who will sharpen me and draw me back into the fold. Give me courage to belong again.
Wool vs. Hair
Sheep produce wool—a covering that requires regular shearing. Goats grow hair that doesn’t need the same care.
This made me tremble. Who I surround myself with impacts what I produce. The fruit of my life is not just about personal discipline, but also about relational alignment.
Jesus, help me walk in discernment. Give me boldness to step away from what hinders my fruitfulness. Even if it means walking alone for a season, let me not fear separation if it leads to consecration.
Breeding & Health Management
Each species has different reproductive cycles and health concerns. Separation makes care more effective.
I know this to be true spiritually too. I hear You more clearly when I’m set apart. My soul is nourished in sacred stillness.
Holy Spirit, set me apart again—not as an escape, but as preparation. Help me prioritize the rhythms that keep me spiritually well.
Methods of Separation
Shepherds observe, guide, and use tools to lead the animals. Gates, fences, and even behavioral patterns help guide the separation.
Jesus, are the methods You use to lead Your sheep still working on me? Am I responding to Your voice? Or am I resisting Your staff, wandering like a goat with my own will?
Let Your voice be the loudest in my life. Let Your Word be the gate that guards my coming and going. Let Your church be the place I call home.
And finally, Lord—when You come, may I be found among the sheep. Not because I earned it, but because I stayed close. Because I let You lead. Because I allowed Your grace to keep me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Wells of Wonder 