Go, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves, so be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.
“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.” Matthew 10:16-18
“Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:3
Welcome to the upside-down Kingdom. This is the Kingdom where the King sacrifices Himself for His subjects rather than the other way around. This is the Kingdom where the path to life is through dying to yourself. This is the Kingdom where the “soldiers” go out to be like lambs among wolves. As ambassadors for the Kingdom, we are to be wise, but for the purpose of blessing others rather than for protecting ourselves and our own welfare. We will be punished for being blameless and selfless and good. Despite this, we are to carry the King’s message and deliver it to everyone, including those who will even kill us. The King is worth it. The life He gives is worth it. Our eternal hope of the Kingdom prevailing in the end, forever, is worth it.
