Matthew 10:16-23 - Facing challenges in the ministry

There were a few things that Jesus had encountered as He went about ministering that had alerted Him: the rising opposition of the Pharisees and religious folks, and the accusation that He was in league with the devil. He was also well aware of the sentiments of the opposition, who would be ready to incite a revolt against the Roman’s dominance. In the earlier part of this chapter, He detailed for His disciples what they were expected to do. In these eight verses Jesus warned them to watch out against the opposition in their ministry. Just imagine what must have been going on in the minds of the 12 disciples. We can now understand why He told them that He was sending them as lambs in the midst of wolves.  

 

In many societies today, we hear the call to exercise religious tolerance. We don’t expect to receive much violent reaction to the preaching of the Gospel. No one sharing about Jesus expects to be brought to court and persecuted. But history is full of stories of persecution brought against the bearers of the Gospel of Christ. It bears witness that the early disciples were indeed persecuted and scourged. The Book of Acts tells of story after story of their persecution and how they were beaten, sent to prison and even killed.  They were brought to courts and before magistrates, and amazingly they could answer their accusers with Spirit-inspired wisdom.

 

Furthermore, the message about Jesus did indeed bring division within families; brothers were betrayed by brothers, and fathers maligned their children and vice-versa, causing them to be executed. The disciples were warned that they would be hated for the sake of Jesus and be chased from city to city. Yet they must do it till the Son of Man comes. This suggests that there will be an ultimate vindication.

 

In light of the warnings, we can understand why Jesus gave the instruction for His followers to be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. One cannot function without the other. Shrewdness alone will cause one to become manipulative and devious, whereas innocence alone will cause one to be gullible and naïve. Followers of Jesus must not be manipulative, devious, gullible or naïve. We must act with clear-mindedness and wisdom, and learn to live and act like Jesus. And this can only happen when we allow the Spirit to fill our life, and to lead, guide and direct our life.