Let me tell you a story…
A long time ago, in a small village surrounded by dusty hills and olive trees, there lived two goats in the shepherd’s pasture.
One goat was strong and calm. His name was Stone. The other was curious and restless. His name was Wander.
Every morning the villagers would see them grazing together in the fields. Children would laugh as the goats climbed rocks and chased each other along the hillside paths.
But once every year something unusual happens in the village.
The shepherd would gather everyone together in the center of town. The entire village came. Old men leaning on walking sticks. Mothers holding their children close. Young people whispering nervously. Because everyone knew this day meant something serious.
It was the day the village stopped to face something no one liked to talk about.
Their wrongdoing.
People had argued that year. Harsh words had been spoken. Promises had been broken. Neighbors had hurt one another. The list goes on…
And even though life went on… something heavy hung in the air. Something everyone could feel but no one could quite carry.
So, the shepherd brought out the two goats.
Stone stood quietly beside him. Wander tugged at the rope, glancing around curiously at the crowd.
The shepherd raised his voice so everyone could hear.
“Today we remember that wrong choices have consequences.”
The village grew silent.
He placed one of his hands gently on Stone while holding a flint in the other, and said,
“This goat reminds us that sin is serious. It costs something.”
And with that Stone gave his life for all the wrongdoing.
The villagers watched quietly, realizing again that their actions mattered.
But then the shepherd turned and brought Wander forward.
He knelt beside the goat and slowly placed both hands on its head.
And then he said something to everyone.
“Now imagine that every wrong thing you have done this year is placed on this goat.”
A murmur moved through the crowd.
The shepherd continued.
“Every lie.”
A few people lowered their eyes.
“Every cruel word.”
A man folded his arms uncomfortably.
“Every selfish choice.”
A child squeezed his mother’s hand.
“Every regret over a lost opportunity to do good.”
The shepherd closed his eyes for a moment and whispered,
“All of it… placed here – on this goat.”
Then he stood.
He handed the rope to a young man and said,
“Take this goat far into the wilderness.”
The young man began to walk. The goat followed. Up the dusty road. Past the olive groves. Toward the hills.
The villagers watched as Wander grew smaller and smaller in the distance.
Soon he was just a small shape against the horizon.
And then…
He disappeared.
Gone.
The shepherd turned back to the village and said quietly,
“Your sins have been carried away.”
Gone.
You could almost feel the weight lift from the crowd. People breathed easier. Shoulders relaxed. Hearts felt lighter.
But there was one problem.
The next year…
They had to do it again.
And the year after that. And the year after that.
Because the goats could only symbolize forgiveness. They could only symbolize freedom. They could never finish the job.
But one day the shepherd told the village something remarkable.
He said,
“One day God will send a Savior who will do what these goats only represent.”
“One day there will be a sacrifice so complete…” “…a forgiveness so powerful…” “…a freedom so liberating…” “…that sins will not just be covered for a year…” “…they will be paid for and carried away forever!”
And that Savior was Jesus.
On the cross, He became both goats.
He paid the price for sin. And He carried them away.
So that anyone who trusts Him is not just a pardon criminal, but also a liberated captive who never has to carry that burden again!
The End
I based this story off of Leviticus 16 regarding the Day of Atonement.
As we head towards Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, I hope we all take time to think of all that Jesus has done for us on the Cross.
And consider this:
We are not just saved FROM something.
We have been saved FOR something!
Every morning that we open our eyes we are given another opportunity to live for Christ.
Let me close with the words of the Apostle Paul from 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 in the Amplified Version:
For you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you just as a father does [in dealing with] his own children [guiding you] to live lives [of honor, moral courage, and personal integrity] worthy of the God who [saved you and] calls you into His own Kingdom and glory.
At the Cross Jesus both paid the price for your sins and also carried them away – gone!
You have been both forgiven and set free – free to live for Him.
Never forget what He has done and never forget your great purpose in living for Him.
(Written by Doug Linser 2026)
