READING: Genesis 28-30, Matthew 10:1-33
We are God’s sheep living among wolves of the world. Jesus used this imagery for His first disciples, and the image still works for us today. We don’t have to look far to see opposition to God’s people, and any broad look will see persecution around the world. Wolves who follow the enemy continually seek to devour the people of God, whether by sly opposition or blatant oppression. We live among the dangers, and we’re defenseless on our own. Nevertheless, God still sends us out to do the Great Commission.
When we go, though, we’re to be “as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Matt 10:16). It’s likely Jesus meant His followers were to be wise in their response to opposition; that is, they weren’t to be stupidly responding and thus exacerbating the problem. At the same time, they were to be gentle as a dove, thus offering little provocation for the wolves to devour them. Naivety wouldn’t work in the face of opposition, but nor would foolish abandon. They were to be shrewd enough not to create more trouble yet live with gentle confidence and uncompromised obedience in the shepherd.
Living out this balance is not easy for any of us. Shrewdness without innocence can become manipulation, and innocence without shrewdness can be naïve and immature. That’s why we live out this balance in the power of the Holy Spirit and with the support of brothers and sisters in Christ.
PRAYER: “Lord, help me to be wise and innocent today.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: If you face any kind of opposition today, stop and think before you react. Be wise but innocent.
TOMORROW’S READING: Genesis 31-32, Matthew 10:34-11:19
