“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16, TLV
Wise and Innocent. When you get a chance, please read all of chapter 10, the full context of today’s verse. Jesus is preparing the twelve apostles to go out — by themselves — and spread the good news that the Kingdom of Heaven has come (vs. 7).
Part of that preparation is giving them authority to “drive out unclean spirits, and heal every kind of disease and sickness” (vs. 1). They are not to go to the Gentiles (the Samaritans) — yet — but only to the “lost sheep” of Israel (vs. 5). Later Yeshua hints that eventually, they will go to the nations (vs. 18).
“Do not think that I came to bring shalom [peace] on the earth; I did not come to bring shalom, but a sword. For I have come to set ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.’ (vss. 34-36, TLV)
Here Yeshua is quoting the prophet Micah (Micah 7:6). He knew what the twelve would come up against for their first “mission” and was trying to prepare them. Not only to spread the good news, but to act as prophets, speaking GOD’s word.
Now, mind you, Jesus hadn’t been with the group of active followers for very long. Nevertheless, it had a been a whirlwind of activity. Healing, deliverances, silencing those Jewish leaders who tried to dispute Him. Still in chapter 8, when Yeshua silenced a storm, the apostles questioned who He was (Matthew 8:23-27).
But the twelve had to be excited. They were following the One who would free them — from the Romans — who did wonders unheard of in their generation. These men had the inside scoop and were given power! I imagine many of them — especially Peter — were like racehorses at the starting gate.
How would we react? I would hope I would be excited, but also I would probably have some hesitation, especially about the flogging part (vs. 17). This would be hazardous duty for certain. Because, Jesus was talking about losing their lives (vss. 21, 38, 39) and being betrayed by loved ones.
He was sending them out as sheep in a world of wolves. They needed to understand the risks. But like the military and firefighters and other first-responders, the goal was to save lives — both physically and spiritually. Hence the wisdom to know what they were up against, but the joy and innocence and hope that indeed lives would be saved.
