Sometimes cartoons depict pigs as smiling, cooperative, cute little animals who follow the farmer wherever he goes. They are portrayed as adorable little animals that you would want to take home as a pet. Pig farmers know differently.
My brother George reminded me recently that pigs can’t be led. They have to be forced and driven. This brought back to my mind many frustrating days when “the pigs got out.” No matter where you tried to lead them or force them, they would not want to go where you wanted them to go. They always went the other way. We learned to secure their pens or face a most difficult task of rounding them up.
Pigs are an unclean animal in the sight of God (see Leviticus 11:6). They return to the mire every time they are washed (see 2 Peter 2:22). They are a selfish animal and can become vicious. Men have been killed by pigs.
Sheep are no smarter than pigs, but at least they can be led. They couldn’t find the front side of the barn if their life depended on it, but they have enough sense to follow the shepherd. They have no natural defensive instincts. They cannot protect themselves. They are easy prey to serpents and lions (both of which are pictures of Satan in the Bible).
Their safety is solely reliant on staying near the Shepherd and in the sheep fold. Are you in Christ (the Shepherd) today? Are you in the sheepfold (church and fellowship)?
Also – sheep have never killed anyone. “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15). I wonder sometimes at all those who – in defence or propagation of their “Christian Faith” – have murdered millions of people. Are they sheep, or pigs, or wolves in sheep’s clothing?
Not every “Baptist” is a sheep, but I’m glad there is no record in history of Baptists killing someone for his or her faith.
