"Jesus and Goats" (cartoon by nakedpastor David Hayward)
Get a fine reproduction of this cartoon
HERE.
I've never really heard or read anyone unpack
Matthew 18:18 in a significant way. Here it is:
"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
I've heard this used to keep the power and control in the hands of the church in an exclusive, restrictive way. But what if it was used in an inclusive and opening way? As this cartoon suggests, Jesus listened to the sheep who obviously advocated for the goats and changed his mind. We need more advocates! Why? Because we're already one. It's recognizing it that makes the difference and makes it manifest. It sounds to me like the power is in our hands to recognize that, and to behave as though, we are all citizens of one realm. Why do we focus on whether or not we're sheep or goats and not on the fact that we're all animals?
I mean, look how cute these goats are:
Have you seen these
baby goats running?
How about this adorable
cute baby goats compilation?
Have you met
Buttermilk?
Did you know goats can play, like these
goats on flexible metal ribbon?
And look what happens when a
cute goat gets on the bed.
But they're not just cute, they can also be
death-defying dam-climbing goats!
*** Remember, if you want a nice print of this cartoon, go HERE.
