EXPLORE THE TEXT

Snakes and Doves (Matt. 10:16-20)

Application Point:

Loyalty to Jesus may mean we encounter hostility to the gospel.

16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves.
Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.
17 Beware of them,
because they will hand you over to local courts and flog you in their synagogues.

18 You will even be brought before governors and kings because of me,
to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you are to speak.
For you will be given what to say at that hour,
20 because it isn’t you speaking,
but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.”

Explain:

Briefly highlight each disciple.
Note that Jesus had big plans for them, but this was their first taste of personal ministry.

Jesus's disciples were slow to learn some of the lessons He taught, but they eventually spread His message around the known world.
Yet, as Jesus predicted in Matthew 10, they suffered greatly for their faith.
Here's a quick look at Jesus's original disciples (aside from Judas Iscariot) and how various church traditions describe their ministries and persecution after His ascension.

• Simon Peter.
  In the lists of the disciples (Matt. 10:1-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:12-16; Acts 1:13),
  Peter always comes first.
  During his time with Jesus, Peter wrestled with arrogant bravado, but he later helped establish the church among both Jews (Acts 2)
  and Gentiles (Acts 10).
  He also wrote two books in the New Testament.
  Tradition states that he died in Rome, being crucified upside down.
• James, the son of Zebedee.
  James was another leader among the disciples.
  The Gospels often shows Jesus pulling James, John, and Peter aside to experience things the others did not (Matt. 17:1-2; Mark 5:36-37; 14:32-34).
  After the founding of the church, James's ministry was relatively brief because he was the first of the Twelve to die for his faith (Acts 12:1-2).
• John.
  The brother of James, most scholars believe John was the youngest of the Twelve.
  He was the only disciple mentioned at the cross when Jesus died ("the disciple he loved," John 19:25-27).
  After the resurrection, John often teamed with Peter to preach and face persecution.
  Tradition holds that while John suffered tremendously for Jesus, he did not die as a martyr.
  Living to the last decade of the first century, he has been associated with the church in Ephesus.
  He also wrote five books of the Bible.
• Andrew.
  He was Peter's brother—and the one who introduced Peter to Jesus (John 1:40-42).
  In fact, throughout the Gospels, Andrew is portrayed bringing others to the Savior (see 6:8-9; 12:20-22).
  Tradition states that he took the gospel to Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and possibly Scythia (modern Russia) before being martyred in Greece.
• Philip.
  Philip also introduced others to Jesus, bringing Nathanael to meet the Messiah (John 1:43-51).
  Jesus also questioned Philip about how the multitude could be fed before Andrew identified the boy with the fish and bread (6:5-7).
  Many scholars believe Philip became a missionary to northern Africa before eventually dying as a martyr in Asia Minor.

Jesus wanted them to be well-prepared for this new adventure.

Recap:

Direct attention to this content from page 89 of the PSG:

In response to the opposition they would face,
the disciples were to be shrewd as well as innocent.
In many ancient cultures, the serpent represented qualities of
wisdom, caution, and cunning.
The followers of Jesus were to be equally alert and wise.
The word “innocent” speaks of purity and integrity.
Christ followers are to live with pure motives and cautious alertness.

Ask:

• Why are both shrewdness and innocence necessary qualities for Christ’s witnesses? (PSG, p. 90)

Say:

Jesus’s words described
what His disciples would face as they spread across Galilee,
as well as what they would experience sharing the gospel around the world after He returned to heaven.
He never watered down the danger,
but He did emphasize the opportunities they would get to share His message.
They would stand before governors and kings for God’s glory
because they were willing to suffer.

Emphasize:

The promise that Jesus made related to the Holy Spirit.

Allowing the Spirit to lead us
allows us to see the needs of others more clearly
and to share Jesus with confidence and boldness.
Ask God for a greater sensitivity to the Spirit’s guidance in their lives.