The Boy Who Cried Wolf, (The remix)

So I have been thinking about my post from the other day. We usually hear that fable from the perspective of the other shepherds. But how about it from this angle:

Once there was a young boy who was watching his father's sheep. The long and lonely days became too much for the boy, and on one particularly-long Monday, he decided to have some fun. The boy began to shout, "Wolf, wolf, wolf!" The sheep heard the call and began to run, hide, and try to escape the impending doom. After all, their short legs could only run so fast.

Other shepherds came running to help chase the wolf, but found the shepherd laughing hysterically. The scattered sheep were gathered, and the other shepherds returned to their own flocks, muttering something under their breath.

On Tuesday, the sheep again heard their shepherd shouting, "Wolf, wolf, wolf!" And again, wanting to protect themselves, tried to gain a head-start and protect themselves. But alas, no wolf.

On Wednesday, they heard the call, turned, scanned the horizon, peered into the bushes watching for movement, saw nothing and returned to eating, appointing one of the flock to serve as watch-guard.

On Thursday, the "wolf" call came while the sheep were napping in the valley. They heard the call, looked at each other, rolled their eyes, and went back to sleep.

On Friday, somewhere the call was sounded, but no one remembers hearing it. And then it was too late. A hungry wolf devoured the flock.

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Matthew 24:42-44)

The Boy Who Cried Wolf (translated, "The World Is Ending"

According to broadcaster/preacher Harold Camping, yesterday was supposed to feature an earthquake and the rapture, leading up to a fireball finale this October. 24 hours later, I have yet to hear of a massive earthquake. Neither Billy Graham nor Pope Benedict disappeared. I think it is safe to say Mr. Camping was wrong.

I wonder how many preachers talked about Mr. Camping's prediction today? I wonder how many preachers cracked jokes and poked fun at the predictions. (Yes, I was one who participated in the latter.)

I think it was foolish of Mr. Camping to make the prediction. Unfortunately, too many people were fooled by him and are wondering how they will replenish their savings accounts. Too many people now feel justified in their distaste for Christians and organized religion in general. But here is what I am concerned about: too many people, Christians included, will scoff at any mention of the return of Christ, judgment, and all things apocalyptic.

You have undoubtedly heard the story of the shepherd boy who cried wolf? He became bored and lonely and cried out, "Wolf!!!!" Neighboring shepherds abandoned their flocks and ran to the rescue, only to discover they had been tricked. The boy laughed and enjoyed the prank. The next day the boy pulled the prank again, the shepherds again fell for it, and the boy laughed even harder. On the third day, when the shepherds heard the cry, they ignored it and refused to play the fool. Unfortunately, there really was a wolf this time. I don't think any storybook illustrator ever illustrated the final illustration: wool and sheep bones everywhere, a wolf licking his chops with an enlarged belly (and the shepherd boy probably didn't make it either).

I wonder how many people, refusing to be fooled again, will now listen to nothing about the return of Christ and the day of judgment. In the book of Matthew, chapters 24-25, Jesus speaks about his return. His essential message: KEEP WATCH and BE READY! (Matthew 24:42 & 44) Concerning the servant who is wicked and not ready, Jesus says that his master, "will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 24:51 (NIV)) Ouch, Jesus! But that is the reality of the return of Christ.

Read all of Jesus' words and you will find that the return of Christ is not something to be taken lightly! We cannot discount the day just because we do not know the date!

Some preacher cried wolf. He was either innocently misinformed or pulling a mean prank. We are still here: no earthquakes, no apparent rapture. But just like the fable, the return of Christ is real, and will occur some day. (But Jesus probably won't gobble up the sheep and shepherd boy.) Don't let some preacher cause you to discount the words of Jesus: keep watch and be ready.