Matthew 25:31-46 | As a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats (1)

In the NT, the theme of separation is often linked with the topic of judgment. In the language of the Bible, separation means judgment. Look at these examples. In Matthew 3:12, the wheat is separated from the chaff. John the Baptist says that the wheat is gathered into the barn while the chaff is burned up with unquenchable fire, a reference to the last judgment. Similarly, in Matthew 13:30, the tares are separated from the wheat. The tares are tied into bundles and burned; the wheat is gathered into the barn. In Matthew 13:49-50, Jesus says that at the end of the age, angels will separate the wicked from the just, and throw the wicked into the furnace of fire, another reference to the last judgment. We recently saw that the foolish virgins were separated from the wise ones when they found the door locked and heard the bridegroom say to them, ‘I do not know you’ (Matthew 25:12). In the following parable, the lazy servant who buried his one talent is separated from the other servants when he was thrown outside into the darkness, another reference to the last judgment (Matthew 25:30).