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“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)
The verse we are looking at in Matthew’s Gospel is a verse that presents a challenge to all in their mission to make disciples for the Kingdom of God. The verse is not only a challenge but a plan for accomplishing the mission. Our mission is to seek and lead the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus the Savior of mankind. Before we dig in, let us see the context that brought this statement of Jesus to His disciples.
Jesus had been setting the example for the disciples for some time by His work in Galilee. Now it was time for them to practice what they had learned amongst the Jewish people. Jesus gave them the authority to do the work for the goodness of the people. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8). They were instructed not to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans but to give the message of God’s coming Kingdom to the Jewish people. The message of Jesus was radical and would not be well received by the Jewish people. In particular, their leadership. It was not heresy but graduation from the Old Covenant of the Law to the New Covenant of grace. It was a message of salvation not by what men can do but what men of faith could receive freely. To this day, it is a message that is not well received and often vehemently opposed.
Sheep are communal animals and flock together. They become obedient to the dominant leader of the flock. They are a social group that is prone to follow the mob and in their culture. Sheep are domesticated in the flock and have a docile nature, and therefore are mostly peaceful. In the animal kingdom, sheep have a love of many people because of their submissiveness. In the Scriptures, a sheep without blemish was used as a sacrifice for the Jewish people’s sins. Because of the sacrifice of sheep, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God. Jesus sent His disciples out into the world as sheep.
Jesus sent the disciples out into the world filled with wolves. Wolves are highly intelligent animals that often hunt their prey in a pack. Wolves are very focused on the mission they have and are predatory. In the Scripture, wolves are referred to as false prophets teaching, contrary to the truth of God’s Word. Jesus said this of wolves. “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.” (John 10:12)
It puzzles people as to why Jesus would use the serpent in this comparison. Serpents are often considered evil as Satan took on the form of a serpent to deceive Eve. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.” (Genesis 3:1) Serpents are crafty and plot out their targets. Therefore they give more significant consideration before striking their target. Jesus is using the serpent to show an example of being patient when threatened and wise in response. All knowledge comes from the Lord, and much is found in the Word of God. It is no surprise that Satan, that serpent of old, knows the Word of God. It would be prudent for us to be knowledgeable of God’s Word also. The dove is also added to offset this group. Doves are considered innocent and pure, and for that reason, they were also used for sacrifice in the Scriptures. The dove also represents the Holy Spirit, which is the councilor for the follower of Jesus. In a time of trial, the Holy Spirit would be the greatest asset for resisting evil. With the patience and wisdom of the snake, the purity of innocence of the Holy Spirit’s transforming power of the mind, we could become more the likeness of our King Jesus.
To go out into a world of wolves to share the gospel message of the Kingdom of God in our fractured image would be dishonorable to Jesus, who we serve. I represent the name of who I serve. When driving a truck with the owner’s name on it, I became in a little bit of road rage. The incident was reported back to the owner, and he questioned me about it. I was sternly told that what I did in his name reflected upon him. I was humiliated, and from then on was careful to represent him with integrity and respect.
If I go out into the marketplace and represent Jesus, then whatever I do reflects upon Him. It is not a lofty thing but absolute truth that all I do reflects back to my Lord and Savior. If we are to teach a radical behavior, then we cannot be of a world behavior and expect people to take us seriously. The goal of the follower of Jesus is to reflect His image by growing into His image’s likeness. If people do not see us as people who’ve been in God’s presence, then what is there to be seen? “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” (1 John 2:6)
As the Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 12:1-2, we are to put aside the world’s ways and be transformed in mind as citizens of the Kingdom of God. I know a Scotsman when I see one, and I should also know a Christian when I see one. The Holy Spirit’s power living within us changes us from the wretched old person we were to the new person we are becoming. “In reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
It is a discipline, and any new discipline takes time and a lot of effort on our part. First, we must propose our heart to accomplish it and not allow our focus to fall away from Jesus. Second is our obedience to the lead of the Holy Spirit. Red Skelton said there is time enough for everything. A key to that statement is acknowledging God in all we do, and He will direct our paths. Think about that, and you will have confidence in every step. I have always been in a hurry to do nothing, but when the Spirit leads, I accomplish all that is needful. Jesus lived a life just as we, but in three years, His accomplishment changed the world for the unrighteous and righteous alike.
As the Lamb of God, Jesus is gentle and meek, as the serpent is crafty, patient, and full of wisdom, and as the dove is pure and loving. If I am to be a person of purpose, a person who accomplishes that purpose, if I want the assurance to fulfill that goal, I need to imitate my Lord Jesus. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesian 5:1-2)
My Lord’s mission is also my mission to preach the gospel message to all who have an ear to hear. To plant the seed of His truth in the hearts of mankind that God would cause the truth to flourish in their life. As the prophets of old said, and Jesus quoted, those who are taught the Word of God will come to Him. “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.” (John 6:45)
The Children of God are instruments, which willingly are tuned and played by the Master in prayerful hope that all will come and dance in the fields of His grace. “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:21-25)
Thomas N Kirkpatrick
First Baptist Church of Durant, November 5, 2019
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