Jesus said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16 NASB
Jesus was/is sending out people who are deeply devoted to His teaching, not casual followers.
Virtually everything Jesus taught was counterintuitive.
So what does counterintuitive mean?
“Something is counterintuitive when it goes against what you believe would be logical, or something that goes against common sense. When treating someone badly makes him like you more instead of less, this is an example of something that is counterintuitive.” Yourdictionary.com
Here are a few of Jesus’ counterintuitive teachings:
If someone slaps you, turn the other cheek. Matthew 5:39
Love your enemies and pray for those who hurt you. Matthew 5:44
Don’t lay up treasures on earth, lay up treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:19-20
Be quick to forgive. Luke 23:34
You don’t have to make up for your bad deeds. Luke 23:41-43
What seized upon me is the verse we began with…”I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
In light of this current darkness, encircled by wolves, what does “wise and innocent action” look like for followers like you and me?
I find myself almost haunted by Jesus’ words just before He ascended. “…as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21
PRAY
I’ve been on the road with You, God, for a long time and feel like I am awakening from white line fever.
I know You, Jesus, came and lived a perfect life, died, rose from the dead, and commissioned Your followers to continue in Your absence. I also know that You are coming back.
In the meantime, what does it look like in practical ways for me to be wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove.