“Which Wolf Will Win?”
Sermon on Sunday, July 22, 2020
One of my favorite theologians, Mr. Rogers, used to say: “Have you ever noticed
that the very same people who are bad sometimes are the very same people who are good
sometimes?” It reminds me of a story called, “Two Wolves.” It goes like this:
“An old Cherokee once told his grandson about a fight that was going on inside of
him. He said it was between two wolves. One was evil: Anger, envy, greed, arrogance,
self-pity, gossip, resentment, and false pride. The other was good: Joy, peace, love, hope,
serenity, humility, kindness, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The grandson
thought about it for a moment and then asked his grandfather, ‘Which wolf do you think
will win?’ The old Cherokee replied, ‘The one I feed.’” 1
We seem to live in a world of absolutes a dichotomy of society. Yes-No, Up-
down, right-wrong, good-evil, us-them. We have seen riots in our major cities like
Chicago, Portland and Seattle, police officers attacked, mobs traverse the streets looting,
burning attacking property owners all the while these mobs claim peace but all we see is
violence. Seattle mayor said these peaceful protesters are having a “summer of love.”
Meanwhile they took over portions of the city of Seattle, barricaded themselves inside,
would not allow police or emergency medical personnel inside. As expected inside their
“zone” during this “summer of love” there were assaults, rapes and murders. When will
they stop? Which wolf will win? The old Cherokee replied, “The one I feed”.
New York City seems to have the worst of it. This week the Chief of police while
trying to enforce the rule of law was twice hit in the head with a baseball bat! Since their
Mayor seems to not only to condone this but his policies foster a climate for this behavior
to flourish! Is he feeding the evil wolf? What should be done? I thought about an old
science fiction movie starring Kurt Russell, Ernest Borgnine and Adrienne Barbeau
should we model the 1981 move “Escape From New York”. Seal off Manhattan make it a
maximum security prison, have the military secure the bridges. Allow these people to
rule their little kingdom all by themselves? In the movie New York City became filthy,
trash in the streets, buildings falling into disrepair and collapsing. Rapes, murders,
assaults, the strong taking advantage of the weak. Much like the CHAZ zone in Seattle.
These people deserve each other. Am I being serious about locking these rioters/anarchist
in a city all to themselves? No of course not I’m just being fatuous. What would Jesus
have us Christians to do?
Jesus said in verse 30, “Let both grow together until the harvest…” Jesus makes it
clear in today’s gospel that the people of the Church and the people of the world are
going to progress through this life together. Knowing this is instructive for both groups.
First, it is a warning to the Church to avoid two extremes: the Church must avoid
compromise with worldly philosophies that are unacceptable to God. Many
Denominations, Christian’s institutions and colleges, pastors and individuals have
abandoned Biblical truths and witness. They go along to get along. They seem to seek the
accolades of the PC Culture more than they fear and love God. Then there are other
churches, pastors and Christians who seek to completely isolate themselves from society
for fear of P.C pollution or even retribution. My friends, the Church must avoid seeking
isolation from worldly people but we must be faithful to the Biblical standards God
1 Philip W. McLarty, The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
expects from us. The idea is to be in the world but not of the world, just as Jesus modeled
with His own life. This is a warning to the church to avoid either of those two extremes.
Second, it is a wake-up call for the people of the world. There needs to be
understanding that togetherness does not mean sameness. However in today’s society
there seems to be little room for conversation. This week a young girl told me that
because she supports Christian/Conservative ideas her friend shout at her, call her looser,
a bigot! She said they don’t even want to hear what I have to say, my thoughts and
reasons. The conversation must begin. But one side just wants to shout down the other.
Are their goals a homogeneous society? It is clear from our gospel that although
coexistence is a reality, people of the world and we, the people of the Kingdom are very
different. We must co-exist but in today’s sociological climate it is difficult for practicing
Christians.
Jesus goes on to say (verses 38-39) that externally Christians and Non-Christians
often look alike. They may work at the same office or factory. They may attend the same
school. Live in the same neighborhood and be involved in many of the same community
activities. This is true because both groups are affected by the norms of their culture.
But internally, they are totally different. We have two wolves fighting inside of
us. Luther called this “the Old Adam” inside. Jesus tells us in spite of their similarity in
appearance, one has a Kingdom relationship a good wolf, and the other has a relationship
with the evil one the evil wolf. Therefore, external can be very deceptive. We need to
look into our own hearts to discover with whom we have a relationship. Which wolf will
win? Which wolf will you feed?
It is clear from the apocalyptic theme of our gospel that Christians and non-
Christians will not coexist and look alike forever. A separation is sure to come. It will be
like Kurt Russell’s “Escape from New York.” The wicked will be all in one place – no
escape. The wicked will suffer eternal destruction while Christians will, “shine like the
sun”. The final reality of Kingdom life helps one realize what is most crucial is a new
citizenship that comes through a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
As we watch the nightly news it may seem like the evil wolf is winning. After all
the evil wolf is constantly fed with a steady diet of acceptance, tolerance and favor served
up by the news outlets and liberal city governments ironically whose very cities they are
burning.
It seems to me that the old Cherokee man had a good point when he told his
grandson that there is an evil and a good wolf fighting in each one of us. Which one will
win? The one that we feed. Feed the good wolf by because its not enough to look like a
Christian; we must act and live like one. We must feed the “good wolf” that is inside each
one of us. Feed him God’s Word, block out time for prayer, and gather together and
worship the God who says all lives matter, white, black, Asian, rich poor, young old.
Jesus willingly paid the price at Calvary because to Jesus all lives matter yours mine,
black lives and white lives, Latino and Hispanic lives, women and men young and old all
lives matter. Amen
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You O Christ!
