Sheep are not beasts of burden. They do not serve the shepherd or bear any of the burdens of his work. Sheep are clueless,  often stubborn, wander around and get lost and need protection They are selfish beings who are cared for by the shepherd.

They will graze unceasingly and perhaps get ill if the shepherd does to move them on.

We  all need guidance and protection (sometimes from ourselves). We all seek comfort. Our basic goals are not much beyond food and a comfortable place to lay down or drink, but if the our relationship with the Lord us is focused only on being kept keeping us safe and comfortable, this is not a very mature relationship with Him.

Some people can be as fully dependent and as clueless as sheep and like sheep, they can wander.

There is a higher, more meaningful relationship with Him whereby we can reach the point when we are no longer sheep.

We are human beings created in His image. We can be fully aware of things. We may face enemies but we can defeat them with the help of the strength and confidence that God provides for us.

We are his anointed agents to defeat evil and there is an active part in this that we must play. God does not do all the work.

Sometimes we may act like sheep and then stray mindlessly and God needs to shepherd us back to where we are supposed to be. But as we mature in our relationship with Him, He empowers us and gives us responsibility. He sets the table. He fills the cup. He gives us strength and confidence and assigns various tasks to accomplish and accomplish them we shall—but we have to do it.

Let us now see the events leading up to Calvary. It is often said that the Jews crucified Jesus, but I suggest that is not so.

The religious leaders orchestrated His death, arresting Him at night and interrogating Him when most civilians like you and me are asleep! If the church is asleep, which it is, God help us! The church is a slumbering giant.

At daybreak, the people’s council of elders, including both head cohanim and Torah-teachers, met and led him off to their Sanhedrin, where they said, “If you are the Mashiach, tell us.” He answered, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me; and if I ask you, you won’t answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be sitting at the right hand of HaG’vurah, Luke 22:66-69

He stated that He would be sitting at the right hand of God. In Matthew 19:28, He spoke of sitting down. In Matthew 22:41-46 He spoke of sitting down where reference was made, in Psalm 110, of David—a shepherd.

In Matthew 25, the Lord spoke about separating sheep from goats, referring to ALL people. That includes us.

When the Son of Man appears in his majestic glory, with all his angels by his side, he will take his seat on his throne of splendor, and all the nations will be gathered together before him. And like a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats, he will separate all the people. The ‘sheep’ he will put on his right side and the ‘goats’ on his left. Then the King will turn to those on his right and say, ‘You have a special place in my Father’s heart. Come and experience the full inheritance of the kingdom realm that has been destined for you from before the foundation of the world! Matthew 25:31-14

He spoke of sitting in Matthew 26:64. See also Mark 10:35-40, 14:62; Luke 12:37, 13:29, 14:8-11 and Hebrews 1;13.

There are many other scriptures we could look at, but these few reveal a pattern or a principle that applies to us. Part of this pattern includes separating sheep from sheep! This is a normal occurrence with shepherds! They separate sheep from each other for various purposes such as for shearing or for breeding purposes. Jesus is in the business of separating His sheep from His sheep!

Paul spoke of our poor condition without Christ and told us that Jesus changed everything as follows:

And his fullness fills you, even though you were once like corpses, dead in your sins and offenses.

It wasn’t that long ago that you lived in the religion, customs, and values of this world, obeying the dark ruler of the earthly realm who fills the atmosphere with his authority, and works diligently in the hearts of those who are disobedient to the truth of God.

The corruption that was in us from birth was expressed through the deeds and desires of our self-life. We lived by whatever natural cravings and thoughts our minds dictated, living as rebellious children subject to God’s wrath like everyone else.

But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace!

He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!

Throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite, limitless riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ. For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him.

Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ!

So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.

We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it! Ephesians 2:1-17

God has “invited” us to join Him! In John 15:15, Jesus said that He no longer regards us as servants (although we do serve Him) and because we are His friends, we do not need to “stand at tables” as servants do, but sit together to dine. We also know from scripture that there is a wedding.

We shall not be ”guests” but His “bride”! But His bride has to make herself ready!

Traditionally, a bride prepares herself for her great day and there is much to be done.
She goes to a hairdresser, she has a beautiful gown made, she has a bouquet of flowers.
She arranges for the wedding photographs, a wedding car, a wedding cake, her going away clothes and the honeymoon is planned. When she arrives at the church and walks down the aisle, people stand as the wedding tune is made. It is a big event for the happy couple.

It shall be a happy event for us too, but according to the book of Revelation, “the bride hath made herself ready”.

Since when do sheep sit at tables?

In closing, allow me to share a portion of Revelation that I believe is very relevant. It is written to a church!

The Lord is asking the church to let Him in!

See, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I shall come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
“To him who overcomes I shall give to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. Revelation 3:20-22

We are being invited to sit at the Master’s table. Please R.S.V.P.

Robert