Be Wise as Serpents ~ Matthew 10:16

Good afternoon welcome to the Panhandle. Today we look at an unusual statement and command from Christ Jesus. Or at least it seems that way at first, but is it really? Well come on in have a seat, open your Bible to Matthew 10:16 and lets have a closer look.

Sheep are dumb and directionless. They are also defenseless. Left to themselves, sheep will not and cannot last very long. Just about any other domesticated animal can be returned to the wild and will stand a fighting chance of survival, but not a sheep. Wolves are apex predators, a pack of 5 – 10 can bring down a full grown bison.

“Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16

What comes to mind when you think about a wolf in a sheep herd? It isn't a pretty thought is it? Now reverse that, a sheep in the middle of pack wolves. Again, not a pretty picture. And yet here in the first half of this verse that is what Christ Jesus is comparing His disciples to. Can you imagine what the disciples must have thought when Christ Jesus told them they would be sheep among wolves? If it was me I would be saying, “Whoa, what did He just say?”

But that is how Christ Jesus pictured His disciples, defenseless and located in a dangerous environment. And on top of that He was sending them into that hostile environment. The Shepherd was doing what seemed unthinkable, He was sending His sheep into the wolf pack.¹ Another way to look at this would be, “I send you, inoffensive and harmless, into a cold, unfriendly, and cruel world. A world where your innocence will not be a protection.”²

And then Christ Jesus says something else really strange, “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Wise snakes and innocent birds, what in the world is Christ Jesus talking about? Maybe a better way to think of it is shrewd and innocent. The two qualities were both vital for Christ Jesus' disciples, and they still are for Christians today.

Shrewdness and innocent are important but they must be in balance. Shrewdness without innocence is cunning, and innocence without shrewdness is ignorance. But in combination, the wisdom of the serpent would save us from unnecessary exposure to danger; the harmlessness of the dove, lets the Christian face when unavoidable danger with unflinching zeal and calm discretion. When the two are in balance Christ Jesus’ followers demonstrate both foresight and courageous trust in God.³

Like those first disciples of Christ Jesus we are hated and persecuted and our ruin is sought. We are like sheep among the wolves. Like those first disciples we need the serpent’s wisdom. Yet, as Christ Jesus' followers we are to be as harmless as doves—to neither hurt anyone, or bear anyone ill will. Yes, our task is difficult, but it is essential and so we are as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves, that is, wise in avoiding danger when we can but harmless in not angrily opposing the enemy.⁴

^{Thanks for dropping by, I pray that our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus would richly bless you and yours.}

^Biblesurfer  

1 Carson, D. A. (1984). Matthew. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 246). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

2 Barnes, A. (1884–1885). Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark. (R. Frew, Ed.) (p. 111). London: Blackie & Son.

3 Richards, L. O. (1991). The Bible reader’s companion (electronic ed., p. 612). Wheaton: Victor Books.

4 Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 42). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.