Warnings to Personal Workers

Matthew 10:16-23

A variety of slogans have been used to encourage enlistment in the US Army. Shortly after the US entered WW I, Uncle Sam posters were seen everywhere. When the draft was announced at the start of WW II, these posters and slogans became less effective. But in 1971, a new slogan appeared. “Today’s Army Wants to Join You.” (I never got that one). In 1981, “Be All You Can Be” became the new catchphrase. Then in 2001, despite much criticism from Army command, “An Army of One” was promoted. More recently, during the war on terror, “A call to duty” has seemed to resonate. But Jesus said, “I send you as sheep among wolves.”

God is able to use our persecution for several ends. How one handles persecution can even be a positive influence on the persecutors. By it, one can learn of God’s care and protection. Believers can mature to the point of trusting in God. Trusting God to deliver from even death (2 Cor. 4:17). Our example of enduring persecution will motivate fellow saints to remain faithful in tribulations.

• Be as Sheep Among Wolves, 10:16a

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves…

As Jesus begins a new section in His message on the requirements of true discipleship, He commands them to “Behold.” This is a warning for them to be on guard when it came to what they say, and the reaction others have to their message. Shepherds do not send their sheep out where they know there will be wolves. However, Jesus is sending them knowing the dangers.

These disciples are like sheep. Jesus often used this metaphor. He called the multitudes “sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). In the animal kingdom domesticated sheep are among the most unintelligent and vulnerable creatures. They require a shepherd who is alert and able to protect them.

The wolves come in the form of false teachers. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Paul warned the Church at Ephesus, “for I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).

• Be Wise as Serpents, 10:16b

…so be wise as serpents…

In order to counter the threat Jesus said they first needed to “be wise as serpents.” In Egyptian hieroglyphics serpents symbolize wisdom especially the python. According to Genesis 3:1 Satan appeared as a serpent which was “cunning” or smart or shrewd. Snakes move around with a planned caution. They are smart at hiding, quick to see danger and more apt to make a run for it than strike. Snakes are well adapted by nature to hide and to preserve itself. The disciples needed to learn from snakes. They needed to know what to say and when to say. When to strike and when to run and hide.

• Be Harmless as Doves, 10:16c

…and innocent as doves.

The second requirement to help the disciples safely carry out their commission is to be “harmless as doves.” The dove is a very gentle species of bird. They are a symbol of purity and peace. The Greek for “harmless” is “without horn.” The dove is without horn. They offer no harm and are not offensive in their nature.

This harmlessness is seen in their message and how they present it to others. Paul and his companions suffered much but their response was when “reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now” (1 Cor. 4:12-13). Jesus Himself behaved in a similar way. “When He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). Thus, they are to guard against being wronged and they are to do wrong to no one.

• Be Aware of Men, 10:17a

Beware of men…

Jesus ends His metaphorical menagerie with wolves. Literal wolves will not be their problem. Jesus is going on to identify the real wolves who will persecute them. These false teachers will use both the Jewish religious authorities and government authorities of the Romans to afflict them. Jesus does not promise them ease and safety in their mission. After the Allies were forced to evacuate Dunkirk in 1940, Churchill said to his fellow Englishmen, “All I can offer you is blood, sweat and tears.”

• Be Beaten by Religionists, 10:17b

…for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues..

The Apostles would often be arraigned before the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:18; 12:1). Those who rejected the message attacked the messengers having them scourged. A scourging consisted of thirty-nine lashes with a whip. One less than the maximum of forty stripes allowed by Mosaic law (Dt. 25:3). Paul wrote, “from the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one” (2 Cor.11:24). Referring to the time when Paul himself persecuted Christians he said, “Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You” (Acts 22:19).

• Be Brought Before Government, 10:18

…and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 

It was not long until the pagan governments became involved in persecuting Christians. Herod “killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also” (Acts 12:2). Roman Governors like Pilate, Felix, and Festus would persecute the bearers of Truth.

Jesus gives the reason behind such persecutions: “for my sake.” It was not because they were sheep, but it was because they followed the Shepherd. The world attacks when they see Christ in us.

The end result of being persecuted was “as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.” The truth of the Gospel shines as a light on those living in darkness as it testifies of Christ. Many persecutors like Paul of Tarsus would see how Christians taught, behaved and reacted to their suffering. This would motivate some to switch sides. Godless governments have always sought to suppress the righteousness of religion.

• Be Prepared to Speak by God, 10:19-20

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.  For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

This is a promise of the guidance of the Holy Spirit as it would inspire these Apostles with words from God. The Word preached originates in the Will of God and not in the hearts of these men. Jesus would later promise: “when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).

• Be Betrayed by Family, 10:21

Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, …

Perhaps the greatest and most painful warning of all is that Jesus warns them that not only will some of their family members reject the Gospel, but they will also persecute fellow family members. Later Jesus would warn in verse thirty-five: “A man’s enemies will be the members of his household.” In certain religious cultures a funeral service is held for a family member who becomes a Christian, because in the eyes of his relatives, he is no longer alive.

• Be Faithful Unto Death, 10:22

…and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 

The disciple’s work on earth will never be finished until his rest from His labors in death.

Hate will come from every class of man on earth, even from family members. A disciple who is not hated is a disciple who is not sharing the Good News and letting his light shine. Persecution has a way of showing to the world and God who is a true disciple and who is perfunctory in their professing of Christ.

The Hebrew writer has his readers look to Jesus and “consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Heb. 12:3). Enduring to the end is a common command throughout the Word of God (Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13; 1 Corinthians 13:7; Revelation 3:11).

The end of the faithful’s endurance of persecution is salvation. Persecution is temporary. Salvation is eternal. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

• Be Ready to Beat A Hasty Retreat, 10:23

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.

Jesus does offer to them a sort of route of escape from persecution which results in fringe benefits for the Gospel. As they are chased from city to city, they can keep spreading the Gospel message. Persecution inadvertently spreads the very message it strives to quell. “At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1).

Running away from dangers of death and harm and imprisonment was not cowardly for the saint. It allowed them to live and be free to preach another day. Christ does not want to send His disciples out on suicide missions. He has no blood lust for His servants. He does not send them to be reckless with their lives. Martyrdom may become a reality for many, but they do not have to look for or wait around for it.

The assurance of Jesus: “you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes” is a difficult one to understand. Is it speaking of the second coming of Christ or His judgment upon Jerusalem and Judea in 70 AD or the coming of His Kingdom? The latter is preferred in this context.

– Daniel R. Vess