"Judas Steer Betrayal" audio podcast by award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Leading a bull to slaughter. Sponsored by BlyBooks.com Legacy Series.
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THE JUDAS STEER
A while back I was at a rodeo down in Pocatello. Some old boy lasted only about two seconds on the back of a bull, and soon found himself kissin' the ground. The main excitement turned out to be when the pickup men rode up to herd the bull out of the arena. It seems like the big old, one busted horn, brindle brahma cross had no intention of leaving.
They pushed it, led it, shoved it, roped it, chased it and hollered at it. But it wouldn't go near the exit gate. Finally, a steer was brought into the arena. They allowed it to wander around for a moment, attracting the bull's attention. Then the mounted pickup men herded the steer for the gate, and sure enough, the big bull trotted along behind.
It reminded me of the old slaughter houses in a way. Most of them kept a tame old steer around the corrals just to lead the wild ones to slaughter. He would trot contently through gates, fences, chutes, and ramps where he often went, leading the unsuspecting follower to its date with the Tuesday lunch special.
The name given to such an animal was the Judas steer.
Now there's a principle in that scene that just might have some reflection in our lives. There are some things that we refuse to do, unless we see another do them first.
Little Billy never considered stealing any baseball cards until he saw Bobby do it and not get caught. William refused to even think about cheating on his wife until he noticed how easily Robert pulled it off. Sometimes the Judas steer is awfully easy to follow.
The Bible says, "Do not let anyone lead you astray" (1 John 3:7). The problem is not just that we might be led into sin. But also, that we will be led away from our commitment to the Lord.
Paul writes, "I am afraid that your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3). The remedy for being led astray is, of course, not to follow men but rather to follow God's Word.
Jesus said, "all this I have told you so that you will not go astray" (John 16:1). His Word gives us the only true direction for life. And it's a whole lot less risky than following a Judas steer.
Stephen Bly
Circa 1993