Judas goat

- By Rev. Vicki Young, Raymore

February 18, 2025

key points from this story:

• The Judas goat leads animals to slaughter.
• It symbolizes betrayal, like Judas Iscariot.
• Satan uses "Judas goats" to deceive people.
• Historical leaders have misled followers.
• Scripture warns against spiritual deception.
• The Good Shepherd offers guidance and salvation.

Years ago, stock yards used what they called Judas goats to move herds of animals and flocks of sheep from holding pens to slaughter houses. The goat was trained to lead the animals. After all reached the destination the animals went into their doom and the goat received a treat for completing the job. The deceiving goat got its name from “Judas Iscariot” who betrayed our Lord for 30 pieces of silver. Satan has many Judas goats he uses to deceive us.

Judas goats do not believe in God or His Word. Satan has put many Judas goats among our national leaders today. In the 1930s there was one named Hitler who was going to recreate God's world. He forgot he was just a gob of clay, some spit and God's breath. People followed him. Some leaders today have forgotten God's command to us to love the Lord our God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 “your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” In Luke chapter 8 beginning at verse 11 Jesus is talking about planting the “seed”. The seed is God's message to men. Us! “The hard path, where some seed fell, represents the hard hearts of those who will hear the words of God but then the devil comes and steals the words away and prevents people from believing and being saved. The stony ground represents those who enjoy listening to sermons but somehow the message never really gets through to them and doesn't take root and grow. They know the message is true and sort of believe it for a while but when the hard winds of persecution blow, they lose interest. The seed among the thorns represents those who listen and believe God's words but whose faith afterwards is choked out by worry and riches and their responsibilities and pleasures of life and so they are never able to help anyone else to believe the good news. But the good soil represents honest good-hearted people. They listen to God's words and cling to them and steadily spread them to others who also soon believe.” Jesus tells us in John 10:10 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” Psalm 23- “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. Isaiah 40 verses 10-11 “Yes, the Lord God is coming with mighty power. He will rule with awesome strength. He will give everyone his just desserts. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms and gently lead the ewes with young.” Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” The devil is very busy in our world upsetting nations, communities, homes and people. The Good Shepherd will give mercy and grace to all. John 14:6 declares” I am the way, the truth and the life.” We need to be sure we are following the Good Shepherd and not a Judas goat.