I had gone out to the garden to gather some green beans for dinner. I had just stepped out of the garden with my little bowl of green beans when there was a terrible skefuffle in the bushes over near the birdbaths, followed by the cry of a very distressed bird! Then … ka-poomf, ka-poomf, ka-poomf … a coyote bounded at full speed across the back yard!
Whoa!
The coyote didn’t know I was there, and it had the same reaction towards me. Startled, it stopped mid-stride when it caught sight of me.
Then it turned, getting it’s bearings … and pounced!!
Crack!
I heard the “Crack!” clear over at the garden. In one single surprise pounce, the coyote instantaneously cracked the neck or the spinal column of the little bunny.
The coyote lifted its head, with the limp little bunny dangling in its mouth, to take a quick survey around.
Then the coyote triumphantly trotted on across the back yard to the woods on the far side.
In the Bible, Jesus compares those who love and follow him to sheep. Jesus also describes himself as the Shepherd. (John 10:11-14)
The Shepherd loves the sheep.
Wolves love sheep too! (but not in the same way the Shepherd does) Wolves love sheep the way coyotes love bunnies!
* “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.” – Matthew 7:15
* “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth … So be on your guard!” – Acts 20:29-30
* “There will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord – bringing swift destruction on themselves.” – 2 Peter 2:1
* “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus, is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” – 1 John 4:1-3
* Jesus said: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” – Matthew 10:16
* “At that time [the end times] many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” – Matthew 24:11-12
* “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9
* “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3
