Let’s Go Get Them Series

Matthew 10: 16 – 26

Let’s Go Get Them

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

If we peruse the other Gospels we come to find out that the disciples Mark and Luke also wrote about this teaching of our Master and King Jesus Christ. So, let’s see what they wrote.

Mark 13:9-13, “9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Luke 21:12-17, “12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.”

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Our last study was titled ‘The Coach’s Pep Talk’. If you are a football advocate like I am, then you understand the importance of a coach’s pep talk right before he sends his team out to do battle with the opposing team. Our Great and Holy Coach has done a similar pep talk. He is sending out His starting lineup of 12 Apostles to blitz the land of Israel to let the world know He, The Messiah, has arrived.

You would think that this would be a very popular job. However the enemy of our souls is not going to make the presentations very easy. In fact our Wonderful Lord and Savior points out the danger when He says, “16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.” The opposing team is not going to have the same uniforms on so they along with us must have discernment in order to identify them. He wants us to play by the proper rules. He doesn’t want us to fall victim to their evil tactics so His instruction is for us to win through a gentile and peaceful attitude - Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”