Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus“sent forth” twelve apostles “and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses. Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till you go there. And when you come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city”, and in chapter ten and verse sixteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “be … wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” where we read:
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:
be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
The verse reads, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:” Matthew began with the word, “behold” which means “lo and see” “I send you forth” which refers to “Jesus dismissed, sent away and ordered the disciples to depart” “as sheep” or “like tame animals that are accustomed to graze” “in the midst” which means “within the middle and center” “of wolves” or “of cruel, greedy, rapacious and destructive men”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His “apostles” that He was “dismissing and charging” them forth like “grazing sheep” in the middle of “vicious wolves”.
The verse continues, “be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew added the words, “be you therefore” which means “wherefore or because of this the disciples were to become, happen, pass and appear like” “wise” or “intelligent, prudent and mindful of one's interests” “as serpents” which means “like snakes which were an emblem of cunning and wisdom”, “and harmless” or “without a mixture of evil, free from guild and innocent” “as doves” which refers to “like pigeons or doves”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, because He was sending them out as “sheep in the midst of wolves”, they were to be “wise, intelligent and prudent” as well as “harmless or innocent”.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus cared for His disciples as they traveled among people. Because there were “ cruel, greedy, rapacious and destructive men” where they were going, the “apostles” were to act “wisely” and be “harmless” among them. The world is often this way, and those who align themselves with God the Father through His Son Jesus are to act accordingly when they encounter “wicked” men. May all believers in Jesus who read these words know what it means to be “wise” and “harmless” as they share His “gospel” with people in the world.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples men will, “deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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