Sheep Among Wolves

Scripture:  Matthew 10:16-20 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 17 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. 19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. 20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:16–20 NLT)

These men Jesus was instructing did face persecution after his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. The first few chapters of Acts (see Acts 3-8) spell out in some detail the price many of them paid for being faithful messengers of the Good News of God’s Kingdom. They spoke so clearly and powerfully of their faith in the risen Christ that their persecutors were amazed at them (Acts 4:13). The Apostle Paul, who was not present on this occasion, became our key example of the fulfillment of Jesus’ words to his messengers here. Paul often stood before governors and kings and even, eventually, before the Roman Emperor.

When they proclaimed their Good News message they were not “standing up for their rights” or protesting unfair policies. They were, in fact, laying down their rights, prepared to accept any consequences that came their way, just or unjust. Similarly, there are many places in our world today where our brothers and sisters in Christ actually do pay with their freedom and their lives for faithfully telling about Jesus. They are imprisoned, beaten, sacrifice family and friends, lose their property, and even give up their lives. Let’s honor them, pray for them, but not pretend to be them!

So here’s what this says to me today! When we feel under pressure about our faith and we are called on to tell our own Good News story of Jesus’ Lordship, trust God for the outcome. Prepare your heart but not a speech! Let God’s Spirit in you give you the words to say and the way to say them. And be thankful!

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for the testimony and example of the men and women who laid down their lives for your Kingdom in those early days. Thank you for the millions who have faithfully declared your Kingdom through the centuries and for those who still suffer persecution for their faith and their faithfulness. We honor them!