MARCH 24 – SHEEP AND WOLVES

…where you will be sheep among wolves… (Matthew 10:16)

               Do you see yourself as a sheep? Sheep are valuable, special animals, but they have not had a great press agent. While they are among the more intelligent creatures, they are marked by, and often fail to show that intelligence, because of their strong instincts and emotions that cause them to follow the crowd. They’re very sociable – and that often causes them pain. Are you a sheep?

               Jesus encourages the people He is sending as He gives them this warning. The sheep’s only defense when predators come is the shepherd. Following the people of this world who appear to be most experienced or wise; the experts, while you are in a life-and-death battle with opposing powers and principalities (Ephesians 6:12), will lead to your destruction. This is just as the sheep who blindly follow the old ram will face the wolves’ sharp fangs. So, the sheep, who have difficulty with seeing details, must rely upon the shepherd’s voice. Jesus is explaining to these followers they must follow Him closely as well. Wolves also are attracted to prey that is weak and injured. Maybe the listeners remembered the Psalmist saying, “My help and my strength comes from the Lord God! (Psalm 121:2)”

               Recognize you have predators who would do you harm and remember that you need to follow your Shepherd.