Sheep, Wolves, Serpents, Doves and more!

So... Jesus sends out the twelve, and we're wondering, are we the sent or the ones receiving, or both. But we'll pause for a moment to read the instructions to the sent, where we'll find sheep, wolves, snakes even!

(39) Hard Harvest

Matthew’s second “sermon of Jesus” (1. Sermon on the Mount, 2. Little Commission, 3. Kingdom of Heaven, 4. Church, 5. End Times) is set in the context of Jesus sending out his disciples (possibly two by two, possibly just to the Jews). This is often viewed as the end of the second year/beginning of the third year of Jesus’ ministry:

·         The first year began near Jerusalem with Jesus’ baptism. For the purposes of this study, we’re assuming Jesus ministered in Judea from then until the first Passover is reported in John - the first time Jesus cleanses the Temple.

·         This makes Jesus’ second year of ministry take place mostly in Galilee, stretching from the arrest of John the Baptist to Jesus’ second Passover in Jerusalem, when he performs a Sabbath healing at an almost-pagan pool. The Sermon on the Mount takes place during this second year.

·         Now we’re entering the third year of ministry, which will stretch from the death of John the Baptist (coming soon) to the final Passover in Jerusalem. Matthew’s account starts the year with these instructions to disciples.

Read Matthew 10:16, Luke 10:3 What do sheep, wolves, serpents and doves mean to you?

1.       It would be foolish of sheep to head toward wolves. Are we ever called to be foolish?

2.       How might the attributes of serpents and doves prevent us from being overly foolish?

3.       Are we supposed to be foolish and claim God will protect us, or foolish and endeavor to protect ourselves?

Jesus teaches that faith/obedience… is more important than… all these things that so often occupy our thoughts…

1.       Security: Read Matthew 10:17-18 Which people might be considered wolves today?

a.       What purpose does Jesus say will be served by the trials of his followers?

b.      How might the attributes of serpents and doves help our trials (if any) be useful for God?

c.       Read Mathew 10:28 What do we fear?

d.      Read Matthew 10:39 What might finding and losing our lives mean? Are we all supposed to be martyrs?

2.       Self-confidence: Read Matthew 10:19-20 Have you ever felt like you were given the right words?

a.       Read Matthew 10:29-31 What does this do for your self-confidence? For your self-worth?

3.       Family: Read Matthew 10:21-22,35-37 What might this mean for family relationships?

4.       Time and place: Read Matthew 10:22-23 Is he talking about the end-times? What about now? Tomorrow?

5.       Governmental order: Read Matthew 10:24-26 They’ll be reviled as Jesus was, by their elders and betters… Should we always obey our elders and betters?

6.       A quiet life: Read Matthew 10:27 Hence Wesley preaching in the fields perhaps? Anyone else come to mind?

a.       When have you felt called to speak out, perhaps in an unexpected place?

b.      Read Matthew 10:32-33 Jesus contrasts confession with denial. What about when we do neither?

c.       Read Matthew 10:34 But when Peter used a sword, Jesus opposed him (Matthew 26:52) so what does this mean?

7.       Comfort: Read Matthew 10:38-40 What “cross” have you been called to bear? What dangers have you faced?

a.        “That’s just my cross to bear” is a fairly common expression. When is it okay or not okay for us to say it?

I’ve ordered these verses pretty arbitrarily, based on my English language interpretations. Matthew may have been “ordering” his memories too. But now it’s your turn. Read Matthew 10:16-39 and see which verses stick in your mind. Then read Matthew 10:40-42 and paraphrase it. Are we the ones receiving or the ones being received (or both)?