Wise As Serpents, Harmless As Doves
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16
We don’t have any way of knowing what, exactly, was going on in the minds of the disciples as they listened to the words of Jesus, but, of course, Jesus knew what they were thinking and what they were concerned about. He was keenly aware of the general idea that many of those who were coming to hear Him had about His purpose for coming. They were expecting a conquering hero to free them from bondage under Roman rule that they had experienced for years. I think the disciples were still in that frame of mind about Jesus. After all, up until now, they had not experienced any real hardship or “in your face” rejection. Jesus was the One who had been the target of those who hated Him and wanted to be rid of Him, but the disciples themselves had not actually been persecuted very much while they were traveling with Him.
But all that was going to change. Jesus was fully aware of what His disciples would face when He was no longer physically with them. He wanted to prepare them for the future when they would continue to carry the gospel to the nations for there would be a high cost to discipleship. When they would begin to suffer for Christ, they would know they were on the “right track” because they were “shaking things up” among the folks of that day. Also, suffering would strengthen their faith and their determination to make a difference for the cause of Christ.
Jesus contrasted His disciples with the world by referring to them as “sheep among wolves”. Unless a sheep is kept under the watchful care of the shepherd, it is tragically lost to the wolves who would devour it unmercifully. However, Jesus would “have their back”. But why would He tell them to be “wise as serpents”? It seems like a strange analogy in expressing the ability to use wisdom. A serpent’s wisdom is centered around the need to protect itself from harm and danger. A snake usually only strikes to defend itself. Jesus’ disciples would be hunted down just as snakes are looked upon as something that needs to be destroyed. Don’t some folks say, “The only good snake is a dead snake?” That’s probably what the enemies of Christ said about His disciples. The disciples would have to learn “when to hold ’em, and when to fold ’em”, that is, they would have to display keen judgment in all situations.
They were also to be as “harmless as doves”. The dove is a very peace loving bird. One day there was a dove and a smaller bird on my birdfeeder. The smaller bird wanted the dove to leave because he wanted the food all to himself. He squawked and flapped his wings trying to intimidate the dove. The dove could have knocked him off the feeder, but instead he continued to eat and mind his own business. He exhibited meekness, strength under control. The dove is also symbolic of the Holy Spirit which does His work quietly and effectually within the believer’s heart. Jesus went on to give them specific situations in which they would find themselves as they traveled across the land meeting people and preaching the gospel. These specifics can be found in the remainder of Matthew, Chapter 10. The bottom line was that the disciples were to keep their emotions in check, keep a “cool head”, and be determined to do their best for Jesus. And isn’t this what Jesus asks of all of us? And if He asks, He will “have our back”.