Sheep, Wolves, Snakes, and Doves

When Jesus sends us to bear witness to Him in the world, He does not send us out as dominant and strong but as weak and seemingly defenseless in ourselves. The only reason I say “seemingly” defenseless is that it is possible that, since “all authority” belongs to Jesus (Matt. 28:18), He might intervene and shut the mouths of the wolves, like he did the mouths of the lions that surrounded Daniel.

But that does not appear to be His intention. He goes on to say that the “wolves” will deliver the “sheep” to courts, f log them, drag them before governors, have parents and children put to death, hate them, persecute them from town to town, malign them, and kill them (Matt. 10:17–31). So it is clear that when Jesus says He is sending us as sheep in the midst of wolves, He means that we will be treated the way wolves treat sheep.

Read more from Dr. John Piper in the article he wrote for this month's issue of Tabletalk: Sheep, Wolves, Snakes, and Doves.