Sheep in the midst of Wolves
I am not sure what a sheep feels like, but I think I can relate to what Jesus told His disciples when He sent them out.(Matthew 10:16) I am sure they felt pretty vulnerable to the attacks of cruel people. However, that is why Jesus told them to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. I believe this applies to us as His disciples today, so we better consider what Jesus meant by these instructions.
Sheep have no weapons to fight against wolves on their own. They have to depend on their shepherd for protection. Sheep are not smart enough to know where to go to get food and water, so they have to follow the leadership of the shepherd, or they will lack nourishment. Sheep do have a great worth, because they are very loyal to their shepherd, and they produce a good income for the shepherd by their wool. Like sheep, we must totally depend on Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to protect us and nourish us in this evil world, but if we will do that, we can be of great benefit to our Master.
In the process we must be wise like serpents, too. Serpents are able to overcome much stronger foes, because the can sneak up on them, and take them by surprise. This wisdom for us must come from God, because He is the source of all true wisdom. Jesus is able to show us what to say by His Spirit, so that people are totally taken by surprise by our answers and actions. All the while, we are to be harmless as doves. We are not to try to force people to follow the Lord Jesus. We are not controlling them. We are simply ambassadors for the Prince of Peace and the Lamb of God, so we are very merciful, and we do not try to harm, but to heal the broken by His truth and grace.
Now, let's get to it!
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 13-15.
Sheep have no weapons to fight against wolves on their own. They have to depend on their shepherd for protection. Sheep are not smart enough to know where to go to get food and water, so they have to follow the leadership of the shepherd, or they will lack nourishment. Sheep do have a great worth, because they are very loyal to their shepherd, and they produce a good income for the shepherd by their wool. Like sheep, we must totally depend on Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to protect us and nourish us in this evil world, but if we will do that, we can be of great benefit to our Master.
In the process we must be wise like serpents, too. Serpents are able to overcome much stronger foes, because the can sneak up on them, and take them by surprise. This wisdom for us must come from God, because He is the source of all true wisdom. Jesus is able to show us what to say by His Spirit, so that people are totally taken by surprise by our answers and actions. All the while, we are to be harmless as doves. We are not to try to force people to follow the Lord Jesus. We are not controlling them. We are simply ambassadors for the Prince of Peace and the Lamb of God, so we are very merciful, and we do not try to harm, but to heal the broken by His truth and grace.
Now, let's get to it!
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 13-15.