Matthew 10:16 … Like sheep amongst Wolves (03/03/17)
“I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; So be wise like serpents and gentle like doves.” ~ Jesus (Matthew 10:16)
There are actually number of profound Truths embedded in this seemingly innocuous verse … Consider:
First, realize that wolves band together to kill sentient others for survival, while sheep band together while eating kill-free to serve others; that wolves thrive on violence (and are thus reviled), while sheep thrive on giving, and are thus honored …
Second, realize that human “sheep” are never so powerful (and thus, ironically, never so safe) as when willingly & lovingly going amidst their “wolves” (for Love is the ultimate empowerment – driving away both all who live based in fear and fear itself – see 1 John 4:18. This is how Jesus was able to “pass through” the angry crowd of “wolves” in Luke 4:30, this is how Jesus remained so stoic in the face of his ultimate trial and final persecution (see Matthew 27, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18), and this is how each of us can harness fear and aggression in our lives as well …
Third, realize that serpents are wise because they know when to hide and because they attack only when severely threatened, and that we are to be “gentle like doves” because the peaceful interaction is the one most likely to be received and adopted and emulated (Jesus didn’t coerce others into doing as he said, and he never once demanded that they worship him; only offered them the chance to “follow” him instead – see Matthew 4:19, Matthew 19:21, Mark 2:14, Luke 18:22-23, John 1:43-44 et al).
And when we apply these aforementioned Wisdoms to this verse, we come to realize that it is essentially reminding us of two things: A) to share the message of selfless Love with others (with our actions as much if not more than with our words), and B) to pay attention to those with whom you share the same – to recognize the difference between those who will truly listen to the message (and then go forth to bear Good Fruit in direct proportion to how often & how courageously they apply the same) and those who won’t …
For the former, offer your Truth fully (“gentle as doves”) — and for the latter, offer the same fully at first meeting and then, after they show an obvious intention to ignore &/or disrespect the same, calmly “wipe the dust from your feet” and move smoothly on to the next potential Hearer(s) thereof (see Matthew 10:14 et al).
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