Shrewd As Snakes; Innocent As Doves

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Shrewd As Snakes; Innocent As Doves

Date: May. 20, 2015

Passage

Matthew 10:16-23 (ESV)

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 10:16

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

First, the Holy Spirit makes us shrewd (16-20). Jesus sent his disciples out to a hostile world, like sheep among wolves. They had to be on their guard, but Jesus sent them to be his witnesses even while being persecuted. What could they say, and how would they be able to share it? Jesus said: "Don't worry about what to say; it will be given to you." The Holy Spirit will make them wise or shrewd to say just what needs to be said to testify to Jesus in the midst of hardship and persecution.

Second, stand firm as innocent doves (21-23). The intensity of persecution will not spare the most intimate of relationships. There will be a strong temptation to compromise when being hated. But Jesus wants them to be innocent as doves; the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. We have hope: the Son of Man is coming, and our task to witness to him continues until he comes.

Prayer: Father, often I feel like a sheep among wolves. Help me to depend on your Spirit and stand firm in faith.

One Word: Be Jesus' witness

Extra Grace to Hezekiah

2 Kings 20:1-11

Key Verse: 20:5

“Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD,

Today's Question

What does the seventh commandment require?

See answer and references