HOW TO LIVE AS SHEEP AMONG WOLVES

SCRIPTURE:

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”  (Matthew 10:16—20)

OBSERVATION:

            The disciples had an assignment that Jesus commissioned them to go and do.  Jesus spelled out what their assignment looked like.  Jesus said I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Just think about the contrast between sheep and wolves.  Nothing the wolves love more than a cute harmless sheep.  How often people think that when God calls them to do something, it must be safe before they accept it. 

            But one would also ask, why does Jesus know the dangerous environment for the sheep and yet still send them to the wolves? I am reminded today that there is no guarantee of safety if one wants to follow Jesus. The best place to be is where Jesus says to go. The only place of safety is among the wolves with Jesus. So many times, believers play safe while Jesus wants them to be among the wolves. 

            Jesus told the disciples that because of where they were going and what they would encounter, they must be shrew-like snakes and innocent like doves.  The word shrew means the quality of having or showing good powers of judgment.  Of course, the wolves are people who have a hatred for Jesus.  The key to a disciple’s safety is to use wise judgment.  To be wise in how we act and what we say and to be innocent, meaning, I must live life above reproach.  Thus Jesus said, as I send you among wolves, be wise, and live life above reproach.  I must know as a disciple at any given time how to behave and conduct myself.  Jesus shares how to live being shrewd and innocent:

• Be on your guard…YOU WILL be handed over to the councils and be flogged.  It is a sure thing that they will be flogged just because they are Jesus’ disciples. 
• You will be dragged among governors, kings, and gentiles to be a witness. 
• You will be arrested…but don’t worry about WHAT TO SAY or HOW TO SAY IT…for you will be given at that moment what to say and how to say it. 
• The Spirit of their Father will be speaking through them.

Like the disciples, we must never take our calling to follow Christ lightly.  Disciples must always be prepared to be among wolves.  There is no escape from difficulties and Jesus does not shy away from calling us to places where wolves are.  The key to living among wolves and the difficulties that it brings to our lives is to have WISE JUDGMENT AND TO LIVE LIFE ABOVE REPROACH. 

Even though Jesus prepared to send his disciples to be among wolves, he always assured them of the Heavenly Father’s Spirit being with them.  Jesus will never send us to a dangerous place without an assurance of his presence accompanying his calling in our lives.  Jesus is our wisdom and our life.  Knowing and having confidence that our Heavenly Father’s Spirit is with us to help us and speak for us is a great joy. 

APPLICATION:

            I am so glad that Jesus not only tells us that we will be facing wolves in life but also tells us how to live among wolves. These two things really help me to live with hope despite the difficulties that I face in life.  To live among wolves or in the wild society that we live in is to USE WISE JUDGEMENT and to WATCH HOW I LIVE.  I will continue to practice these two things as I live in a society that seeks to tear my faith to shred.    

PRAYER:

            Jesus, thank you so much for teaching me the keys to live life in this world that is full of anti-Christ.  Please help me to exercise wisdom and to behave and live a holy life before you and the world.  Teach me the fear of you that I may know how to live among people who do not know and love you.  I want to be filled with your wisdom and Spirit so I may please you in this fallen world.  Amen!