In the Gospel of Matthew we read:
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Whilst today we have various understandings about the symbol of the wolf – in Jesus’ time it was a threat to the flock. If we are the sheep, we are threatened by the wolf. The wolf will tear us to pieces and devour. Sheep were valuable and valued in ancient Jewish culture. It was the lamb without blemish that was the purest offering to God. It was the sheep that would be at the right hand when Judgement came. The sheep needs to be protected – that is why there were shepherds.
Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Not simply beware the wolf. Beware the danger that lies hidden and disguised. To put on ‘sheep’s clothing’ and pretend to be something one is not is a deliberate act. This is a warning that rings true for all of history. Beware those who are not honest and pretend to be like you so they can destroy you. I think it is worth thinking about the end result. It is not that you will be like the wolf – it is you will be no more – you will be devoured. What a loss – let us remember that the good shepherd will leave the 99 to find the one lost sheep – that is how precious each of us are.
Today I suggest the wolf is not necessarily a person. What are the current-day ‘wolves’ that destroy us? Things that seem so ‘innocent and meek’ on the surface but then they devour us? Pride? Ambition? Security? We are raised to seek security in western society – to plan for the future, to provide a certain level of comfort and opportunity for our family, to earn a lifestyle. Ambition is often seen as a positive as it spurs us to act and to do, rather than to spectate on the saga in the arena, but I have one word to remind us of the danger of unchecked ambition – Macbeth. Pride? We are told to take pride in our appearance, pride in our community etc but pride is one of the seven deadly sins – what a troublesome word that is! Pride can be wonderful and affirming and spur us to be the best self but pride can also be toxic creating cliques that destroy and tear- down.
What is your wolf that stands before you as an innocent lamb?
The Female Theologian 