Sheep, Wolves, Snakes and Doves.

“Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” Matthew 10:16

Jesus told his disciples that he was sending them out like sheep among wolves.

First of all what shepherd sends his sheep to wolves? The wolves could and would make a great feast of the sheep.

Jesus knew the wolves would kill his sheep and the disciples understood that… but the sheep had a job to do… a dangerous job and Jesus helped protect his sheep by giving them the tools to protect themselves.

He told them that the wolves would have them arrested and flogged. He warned them that even their own momma’s might betray them… like a momma-wolf. He told them that the wolves would hate them and persecute them.

Knowing these things they were prepared for everything the wolves could do to them.

The two great tools that they possessed were “shrewdness” and “innocence”. Be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.

- don’t worry about what to say.

- when persecuted… get out of town.

- don’t be afraid… all they can do is kill you.

- learn the magic words and don’t be afraid to say them no matter what the situation is… “Jesus is the Christ the Son of God”

And in fact that is exactly what we see the Apostle Paul doing during his ministry.

Kind of reminds me of an old western TV show... "Have Sheep... will Travel"