In a way Greece, as a country, could be said to be goats – they had avoided their own taxes and overpaid themselves. They consumed, then borrowed, then consumed even more. But in another way the EU could be said to be goats because their negotiating strength brought survival for them - only by impoverishing others.
Where do you and I fit in as individuals? For me, at times I’ve been a sheep. At other times, regrettably, I’ve been a goat and caused desolation and hurt to others. Is it possible that we’re all like that? Generous outwardly but goats inside because of our driving self-interest? Am I blind to my own addiction to self-interest until pressure arises when I become a goat who can’t endure any loss to me?
Back in AD 30, Jesus’ final teaching to his followers about sheep and goats was that the goats would “go away” from him “into eternal consequences” but the sheep would come with him “into eternal life.”
But that didn’t end his conversation. He had one more thing to say to them. He said: “You know that after two days the passover sacrifice will be here, and the Son of Man is to be given away to death by crucifixion.” His schedule was to be a total loser, to be given away to death.
What about this passover sacrifice? It first took place in Egypt around 1350 BC. The Egyptians had enslaved Jewish people there to do all their hard work. The LORD God warned the Pharaoh about his repeated refusal to free these slaves. If it continued, all the first born in Egypt would be killed that very night. But the Jewish homes would be protected if they prepared a lamb and used its blood to identify their homes as places not to suffer death. They were to eat roast lamb that evening in preparation for being freed.
A passover sacrifice – a lamb died to save them. Jesus said in AD 30 that in two days the feast of the passover sacrifice would take place there. He, the Son of Man, would be “given away to death by crucifixion”.
|
