I imagine many in his Greek-influenced audience thought not only of local shepherds guarding their sheep, but also of the popular Aesop’s fable that warned them to remain alert and aware. Jesus later expanded on this idea in John 10, when He said, “ Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber” ( John 10:1). “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” ( Matthew 7:14). “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,” He said, “and many enter through it.” As indeed many of the religious elite, a number of whom were themselves wolves in sheep’s clothing, had. Shortly before, He had instructed His listeners to “Enter through the narrow gate” ( Matthew 7:13), or the harder to follow, counter-cultural path. “They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” ( Matthew 7:15). Jesus’s use of this common idiom conveyed a similar meaning. "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" In Scripture The moral? Outward appearances can be dangerously deceiving. Accurately discerning the situation, the shepherd beats the wolf off with a stick. Realizing something is amiss, at nightfall he watches from a place of hiding as one of the flock attacks and eats another. Eventually, the shepherd notices a loss and counts his sheep, first one day, and then the following. This costume allows the wolf to hunt undetected, night after night, sheep after sheep. None, the shepherd included, are the wiser. He wraps himself in the hide of the killed sheep and joins the flock. His momentary satiation motivates him to develop a plan. The wolf seizes the opportunity and attacks and eats a fat sheep. Then, wandering about in search of food, he comes upon a flock of sheep and their sleeping shepherd. Too weak to hunt, he worries he will soon die. This tale begins with a hungry wolf struggling to survive in the jungle. And for more easy ways to care for God’s creation (and look great doing it), check out PETA’s “How to Wear Vegan” guide.As you can see, by the time of Jesus, the warning to watch out for wolves in sheep’s clothing had worked its way into first century culture. While you’re showing compassion for sheep this winter, consider sparing other animals, too, by choosing supple vegan leather jackets and accessories and fluffy down alternative coats and comforters. Apparis Mirabelle Gloves Apparis Pluto Pet Puffer Jacket Brave Gentleman Classic Suit-Navy Brooks Brothers Ribbed Cotton Shawl Collar Cardigan Ecoalf Medium Grey Melange Jonda Skirt Ecoalf Toast Melange Inma Dress Freewaters Jeffrey 2.0 Slippers LBLC The Label Lila Hooded Sweater L.L.Bean Double L Cable Sweater Made Trade Garden Knit Scarf Matt & Nat WYNN Hat & Scarf Set Noize Andrea Vegan Slippers Noize Poesy Long Length Vegan Wool Coat Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Beanie Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Gloves Will’s Vegan Store Structured Vegan Wool Coat Here are just a few beautiful, cozy, animal-free options for winter clothing and accessories that are perfect for gifting. Vegan wool is soft, warm, easier to clean, and kinder to the planet-and it’s available everywhere. To encourage everyone to show the same affection for sheep that Jesus did and let them keep their wool, PETA LAMBS has released this poignant prayer for compassion ahead of the Christmas shopping season: Sensitive, intelligent sheep deserve better. In Australia, the world’s number one wool producer, when animals’ wool production wanes, they’re often shipped on a harrowing, weeks-long journey to a slaughterhouse where their throats are slit, often while they’re still conscious. and Australia have also revealed rampant abuse, including shearers punching, kicking, and stomping on sheep hitting them in the face with electric clippers and standing on their heads, necks, and hind legs. PETA entity investigations into more than 30 shearing sheds in the U.S. The result is hasty shearing that commonly leaves the animals with gaping, bloody wounds that are then crudely sewn shut without pain relief. The shearers are usually paid by volume-the faster they work, the more they’re paid. But on modern wool farms, they’re genetically manipulated to produce much more. God designed sheep to grow just enough wool to protect themselves from both cold and heat.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |