Not for Wimps

Matthew 10:16–23

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

23 “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.

Introduction

As people of God we find ourselves in a difficult place. We are God’s children—born of the Spirit—yet are mortal beings in a world of corruption.

God’s presence is with us—in us—but we are immersed in a fallen society and evil mankind.

Living as a Christian—a true disciple of Jesus that does not waver or cower—is not an easy feat, and Jesus made this clear.

Matthew 7:13–14

13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Jesus never promised an easy journey. Quite the contrary, he indicated a rough one.

John 15:20

20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Jesus uses a few animal analogies to help us understand what we are to expect in this world.

Sheep among wolves

Sheep and wolves are used several times in Scripture to reflect believers vs religious elite, and the innocent vs the predator.

Sheep are defenseless in themselves; in a hostile and dangerous environment

Why are Christians shocked and surprised when sinners act like sinners? When fallen society acts like fallen society?

John 17:14–16

14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Shrewd as serpents

Term was used in ANE cultures proverbially as prudence—cautious

Denotes reason, insight, cleverness

Serpents are reflected in Scripture as cunning. (Think Garden of Eden)

Innocent as doves

Not a symbol of peace

Hosea 7:11 — “So Ephraim has become like a silly dove, without sense;They call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.”

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke (2. The Commission (10:5b–16))

“…innocence becomes ignorance, even naïveté, unless combined with prudence.”

Conclusion

both sheep and doves were part of OT sacrificial worship

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke (2. The Commission (10:5b–16))

“So Jesus’ disciples, in their mission as sheep among wolves, must be ‘shrewd,’ avoiding conflicts and attacks where possible; but they must also be ‘innocent,’ i.e., not so cautious, suspicious, and cunning that circumspection degenerates into fear or elusiveness.”

Faithful Obedience to Jesus requires a tender heart and thick skin.