I can only imagine the dumbfounded expression on the disciples’ faces when Jesus told them, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” (Matthew 10:16)
What?!?
That makes no sense. Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd (Jn 10:11). All throughout Scripture God is depicted as – not only a good shepherd – but a great one! (Heb 13:20). Why would a great shepherd send their sheep to be among the wolves?? When you think about it, it really doesn’t sound like a great shepherd at all…
So what is Jesus saying here? From the words of David Platt in his book Radical he states, “Jesus was saying to his disciples then – and, by implication, to you and me now – ‘I am sending you to dangerous places, where you will find yourself in the middle of evil, vicious people. And you will be there by my design.’ Jesus told them, ‘Go to great danger, and let it be said of you what people would say of sheep wandering into the middle of wolves. “They’re crazy! They’re clueless! They have no idea of the danger they are getting into!” This is what is means to be my disciple.'”
We are so quick to think that is something is dangerous, if it’s costly, if it’s risky then it must not be God’s will. But when we look at the examples of the lives God used in tremendous ways in Scripture, I think we might see the opposite. Over and over again, you’ll notice those who had the most impact on the world were the ones that were willing to abandon their lives for the sake of sharing the love and hope of the gospel.
It’s not safe. It’s not comfortable. And it’s definitely not easy. But no great thing worth having is ever easy. So an easy life is not the life for me.
Platt also writes, “This is the great reward of the gospel: God himself. When we risk our lives to run after Christ, we discover the safety that is found only in his sovereignty, the security that is found only in his love, and the satisfaction that is found only in his presence. That is the eternally great reward, and we would be foolish to settle for anything less.”
I know with everything that I have that this route I’m going on – the countries that are the most unreached in the world – is exactly where God is calling me to go. For me to do anything else would be to forfeit God’s will on my life.
Jesus’ last words to his disciples that he has sent to be sheep among wolves is this: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
