As Sheep In The Midst Of Wolves

Mt. 28:19-20, we know Jesus ordained the ‘Great Commission’. He said, ‘19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ Mark also wrote of this same discourse, saying, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.’ Mark 16:15-16.

Much has been said about this ‘Great Commission.’ We are told many times over, we are to go and preach/teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but has anyone warned you of the possible situations you might be caught in trying to preach Christ and his crucifixion to a heathen world?

Often people want to know the perils they might encounter before setting off to conquer ‘so great a task’. We recognize there are many differing opinions about the Christian religion to encounter as well as differing religions all together.

On one occasion, scripture tells of Jesus having sent out the disciples by twos to preach to the ‘lost house of Israel’. Mark and Luke also give an account of this commission. However, Matthew gives a discourse by Jesus to the disciples before he sends them. In this teaching, good advice is given along with warnings of the reception they will receive.

We as Christians, today, need to be given a pep talk along with warnings of the reception we, also, can expect to receive. Let us look at this teaching by our Lord to his disciples.

Open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 10. This will be our main text today.

Nature of righteous missionaries before a sin-sick world

Mt. 10:16a. “Like sheep among wolves”

Jesus describes these workers for the Kingdom, as sheep.

Characteristics of a sheep

Gentle, meek, calm natured

Perhaps humans, as sheep, are gullible, easy prey to Satan

Helpless in the flight of danger, defenseless

Need guidance and direction to meet their needs

Verses characteristics of wolves

Aggressive

Intentional about the harm they inflict

Mt. 10:16b. Jesus tells them to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves”.

How is a snake shrewd?

Knows how to avoid danger—wise

Usually runs from danger.

Stands and fights if necessary

Subtle or crafty—Gen. 3:1. Deceptive.

Thinks on its own to make decisions concerning its welfare

Harmless as a dove

Doves represent purity, peace or a peaceful being

Are innocent

Therefore, be on your guard against wicked men.

Forewarnings of trouble

Mt. 10:17. Expect to be apprehended and arraigned as malefactors.

they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake,

Mt. 10:21. They must expect to be put to death

… the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Mt. 10:25. Expect to be branded with the most disgusting and humiliating names and characters.

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Beelzebub is the prince of devils.

Thus, the followers of the Prince of this world are called Beelzebub. after their master

They represent the interest of the kingdom of darkness.

Mt. 10:34-35. Expect not peace but a sword. (division)

I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

People will turn against their own family on religious matters.

Many families are divided over religious understanding.

The faith of those that believe condemns those that believe not, and, therefore, they have an enmity against them that believe.

Enmity is a condition of hostility; hatred; ill will; animosity, toward God and righteousness. (or righteous believers)

James 4:4. … know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Foretells of whom these sufferings will come

Mt. 10:17. Beware of men.

Men of similar nature as we, crafty and politic, but cruel and barbarous as beasts.

From professing men, men that have a form of godliness, and make a show of religion.

They will scourge you in their synagogues, Paul was scourged five times in the synagogues.

2 Cor. 11:24-25. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned