One Torah For All

One Torah shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Exodus 12:49

A Sheep No More

Romans 8:36
Even as it is written,
     “For Your sake we are killed all the day long;
     We were counted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Sheep by nature are followers; even if this means going to slaughter, they follow their masters. It is the way sheep are. The politicians in the present generation have treated their constituents like sheep, to do with them as they will; rather than to serve the sheep, they serve themselves. Many people are tired of being lied to by their political leaders. Many people have begun to inform themselves of what their politicians are doing and they do not like what they are finding.

There have been many web sites which have come into existence to pander to those who are looking for information, including one by the name of the same title as this article. Many items from these sites get posted on social media websites, many declaring that the poster is no longer a sheep. That is, he is no longer following the lies and is not asleep any longer.

However, when I see these things, it makes me cringe in my spirit. You may wonder why. It is because in Scripture, those who are the true followers of Mashiach Yeshua are likened unto sheep, and those who are not true followers of Mashiach Yeshua are likened unto goats. Everyone is placed into one of these two groups - no exceptions.

If we as followers of Mashiach Yeshua desire to be a true follower of Him, then at best it seems problematic that a person would declare that he is no longer a sheep. This would seem to put such a person in a very precarious position. One cannot be a follower of Mashiach Yeshua without being a sheep. And if he is not a sheep, then by default he is a goat.

Please note the opening passage in which Shaul states that the followers of Mashiach Yeshua are being led to death all day long. Furthermore, this is happening because they are His followers.

Ma’aseh (Acts) 8:32
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this,
     “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
     And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb,
     So he opened not his mouth.”

The passage being referenced is from Yeshayah (Isaiah) 53. If a person is going to be like Mashiach Yeshua, then he should expect the same treatment that Yeshua received. He should also strive to act like Him when he is treated in such fashion. As Yeshua was silent before Pilate, so should the true followers of Mashiach Yeshua be before their accusers. That is, if the situation is such that the Ruach Qodesh (Holy Spirit) is leading one to be silent, then do not protest, do not speak about your rights. If one speaks about anything, point to Mashiach and count it an honor and bring glory to His name.

Being a sheep is not a bad thing! Even though many today think that it is, it is not. It is a blessing to be counted among His sheep. However, please understand, to be counted among His sheep means one shall be treated in the same manner as the Shepherd was treated.

Yochanan (John) 15:20
“Remember the word that I said unto you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.’”

Furthermore, Ya’aqov, the earthly brother of Yeshua, also taught us to be joyful in our trials.

Ya’aqov (James) 1:2
Count it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials;

It is a privilege to be counted among His people. Do not fall into the ploy of the enemy to stop being a sheep. Sheep are kind and gentle souls, willing to go wherever their master asks them to go, even if it is to slaughter. So what if one dies at the hands of this world? It only means that he gets to go be with the Master sooner than later.

“A sheep no more?” Well, I am a sheep and I have no regrets, and do not apologize for being one. How about you?

Shabbat Shalom
Zerubbabel ben Emunah
www.onetorahforall.com