"Feed the Flock": Deadly and Uncontrollable

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 11
Some people earn a living hunting poisonous snakes. After capturing these deadly creatures, they carefully milk the venom from the serpent’s mouth and sell it to companies who manufacture anti-venom drugs and other beneficial medicines.
Some hunters were commissioned to collect the venom of what is considered one of the world’s most deadly snakes—the African Black Mamba. So powerful is this serpent’s venom that without proper medical treatment, humans bitten by it often die within 20 minutes. Its size (10 to 14 feet long), its speed (up to 10 miles per hour) and its aggressiveness (rather than fleeing, this easily irritated creature often chases after humans or other prey) make its capture particularly dangerous.
After some time, the three snake hunters finally captured an 11foot male Black Mamba. They carefully placed the serpent inside a special white bag made of strong fabric, securing its opening to make escape impossible. Yet, in spite of all their precautions, one of the men accidently brushed his hand against the outside of the sack. Instantly the already-aroused serpent—with its incredible sensing ability—struck, its fangs piercing through the sack’s fabric and sinking into the man’s hand.
Within moments after being bitten, the hunter began to feel his feet and hands becoming numb as the venom quickly worked its deadly effects. By the time he was carried into a nearby hospital a scant ten minutes after being bitten, he was having trouble breathing and was no longer able to speak clearly.
After several desperate hours, while he was attached to a heart-lung machine, the anti-venom finally began to take effect. Some hours after this, the fortunate (and wiser) snake hunter walked unaided out of the hospital emergency room.
Poor, deluded Judas may have thought that his public association with the blessed Lord Jesus was like that white sack, hiding and constraining the wicked deeds of his covetous heart (John 12:66This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. (John 12:6)). But “all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:1313Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)). He found out too late that his sins surely found him out and he must reap what he had sown (Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)).
Unable to hide or control the sin in his heart, Judas betrays the Lord of glory, receiving the due reward of his awful deed (Matt. 27:55And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:5)). How solemn to think that today this man, who sought to cover his sin, is forever in a godless, dark eternity of agony and hopeless sorrow (Matt. 25:3030And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:30)).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:1313He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)). “O death, where is thy sting?  .  .  . Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:55, 5755O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55)
57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)).
Ed.