-January 11, 2023-
Good morning, happy Wednesday,
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
(Matthew 10:16).
One great part of Jesus’ mission when He came into the world was to call disciples and equip them to follow Him and serve Him in this world. It is a huge responsibility for us to represent Him here on earth, preach and share the gospel, and to testify of His saving grace. Our Lord and Savior knowing this spent so much time in prayer for His disciples both in choosing them, calling them, teaching them, and being an example to them.
In this passage in Matthew 10:5-42, Jesus instructs the disciples how they should live and serve in a world that needs Him, but rejects Him. A disciple cannot be expected to be treated any differently than his master. Jesus said in John 15:18-20, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world love its own. Yet because you are not of the this world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant 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.” Being a disciple is both challenging and rewarding. Our rewards will come in eternity, though we are so blessed now on earth in living for Christ and serving Him.
Just as Jesus sent out the Twelve, He also sent out the Seventy. Our Lord prepared them for what was to come. He didn’t sugarcoat anything. He told them, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.” Sheep have no chance of survival apart from the care and protection of the shepherd. The Lord says that we should be both wise and innocent in this world. We live in the world but we are not of this world. We are citizens of earth but more importantly we are citizens of heaven. We should never comfortable in this world of sin and inquiry.
The Lord Jesus gives two contrasting traits we will need to be victorious and successful: wisdom and innocence. To be wise as serpents means to be constantly on our guard, to watch our back. Our eyes and ears should be wide open; we must be very careful who we trust, weigh what people say against what they do, test everything based on the Word of God, and have wisdom and insight. I think of that old saying, “Take it with a grain of salt.” That means that not everything someone says, or writes, or posts on the internet is true. A serpent is very smart, cunning, and careful, and we should be also. We should never be gullible.
Not only should we be wise as serpents, but also innocent as doves. This refers to how we treat others and speak to them. Being harmless or innocent means to live as Christ lived and to speak as He spoke. Our Savior taught us to love others, forgive as God has forgiven us, to turn the other cheek when wronged, and to go the second mile. It is better to suffer a loss than to lose our testimony before others.
Let us always be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Doves are white, symbolizing righteousness, purity, and peace. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.
Living for and like Jesus in this world,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 