Prenesi aplikacijoGracious Jesus 8 - the King CommissionsVzorec
Sheep among wolves
Jesus tells his disciples that we are like sheep sent to the wolves. We need to be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.
Sheep are helpless, weak, dumb, slow. It is very easy for wolves to attack and rip them apart in no time.
Sheep avoid wolves, but in three ways, these sheep are different. They are:
- Being sent to the wolves – as Jesus was sent as a “lamb to the slaughter.”
- To be shrewd as snakes – they know when to stand and when to flee – silently and swiftly
- To be innocent as doves – maintain purity, remain cautious, and not stir hostility.
Bunyan knew how to answer for himself. He had four children, one of them blind, and he chose to remain in prison for twelve years rather than promise not to preach the gospel.
He says, “Thou mayest do in this as it is in thy heart. If it is in thy heart to fly, fly; if it be in thy heart to stand, stand. Anything but a denial of the truth”…..”Whether you stand or fly – laugh, for that the scales are still in God’s hand.”
To flee or fly does not mean running out of fear – it is to avoid conflict.
Innocence with shrewdness requires deep purity from the soul and is truly hard to find. With this unbeatable combination, Christ’s disciple will invoke a clash of powers.
There are only two big powers – God and Satan.
Satanic destruction will result in the spread of the gospel – in bringing in more children into the family of God.
What does this mean?
“You will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” Matt 10:23
There are multiple interpretations of this passage. However, in my view, this passage is prophetic – not only applying to His twelve disciples but to the many that follow Him later.
They will invoke the permanent end to the rule of Satan with the coming of Jesus, the current master of the world
Where are “the wolves” today? They are everywhere!
We need to stand up to them and allow God to teach us and speak through us.
The power of “the sheep” is in trusting the Shepherd to help us develop purity, humility, gentleness, confidence, silence, graciousness, and love.
Who are “the wolves” in our lives? How are we trying to win them over? How can we play on the side of Christ at all times?
Sveto pismo
About this Plan
Many are called, few are commissioned. Jesus gives his followers a taste of going out to preach, teach, and heal. Going in faith, they experience amazing powers that Christ endowed them. Christ also appraises them of the discipline and sacrifice involved, with far greater rewards for service. While service is highly monetized these days, there are still the few serving in tune with their Master in Heaven. Perhaps little-known today but famous in Heaven.
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