A Flock of Sheep or a Pack of Wolves?
Matthew 7:15-23
Illustration
by John R. Brokhoff

Pierre von Paassen in his book Days of Our Years, tells of a hunchback, Ugolin, who lived in a small French village. He had a hard time because he was a monstrous looking creature. Children would not play with him. One night some drinking men starting making fun of him. They kicked him, spit on him, tore off his clothes, and finally left him in a pool of blood. Later that night the local priest found him, took him home, washed him, and put him to bed.

The next day while the priest was conducting mass, Ugolin went to the river and drowned himself. When his sister found it out, she committed suicide. Though they were suicides, the priest planned a double funeral in the church, for he said, "Those children were not suicides. They have been murdered by society without mercy." The day came for the funeral and the priest went to the pulpit. While looking at everyone, he waited to begin the sermon. He began, "Christians! When the Lord of Life and of Death shall ask me on the Day of Judgment, ‘Pastor, where are your sheep.' I will not answer him. On the third time he will ask, ‘Pastor ...where ... are ... your sheep?' I will hang my head in shame and I will answer,‘They were not sheep, Lord ... they were a pack of wolves!'"

CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Jesus….Who?, by John R. Brokhoff