In the gospel, Jesus mentions sheep, wolves, serpents, and doves. The kingdom sounds like a zoo.
Let us peer into the gospel today. There are several passages that are striking and insightful for us as disciples.
Jesus said to his Apostles, "Behold I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;"
The greek word used for "sheep" denotes any four footed animal that is tame that is accustomed to grazing. The operative word for us as disciples is tame. Tame denotes and animal that is docile and attentive to the voice of the master. The animal knows who the master is and heeds the command of his voice. Docile and attentive to the master's voice we must be if we are to guard our faith and be true to the mission we are given.
"so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves."
The greek word for "shrewd" suggest that we are intelligent and prudent. We keep our sense about us and we keep one eye on our end. As we journey we must never lose sight of our destination and only then is our intelligence sharped to enable us to bear witness. The greek word for "simple" suggest that we are unmixed that is persons of integrity. We never jeopardize our integrity thus we live who we are called to be. We are true to our identity in Christ as children of God and all we do points to that integrity. Every circumstance and trial and suffering provides an opportunity for our integrity to shine pure.
"But beware of men"
We often see the signs that warn us, "beware of dogs" and it usually heightens our attention and sharpens our awareness and vision. Jesus seeks to keep us attentive, on our toes, never letting our guard down. Awareness and attentiveness are instrumental to spiritual growth and faith life. Secondly, we should not be surprised when we are betrayed by men. The witness we give will be a sign against many and this is par for the course. Jesus doesn't want to give us false expectations but rather he keeps it real, that we might rely on him, trusting him and not the princes of the world thus guarding our soul. For if our soul is not worth guarding, then what is?
"for my sake"
Why do we do this? Why do we live this life? It is for His sake we rise each morning and embrace the challenges of a new day bearing within us the joy of being a follower. Often times, we hear people say the words, "for God's sake" usually as a cry of despair or anger. But in reality it is a positive sounding note that directs our resolve and empowers us to endure. We are and should be about "his sake" and then does our life have true meaning and purpose.
"but, whoever endures to the end will be saved"
Notice that salvation comes in the future. This statement stares in the face of many who falsely claim, "once saved, always saved." Salvation is a process, a journey. Salvation is an event taking place on Good Friday, yet for us individually it is not a one time event, but rather it is a relationship that requires, as Jesus says, "endurance." Salvation is not something we possess rather it is a relationship in which we stand, thus we become partakers of God's Spirit. It is this dynamism that makes salvation what it is in Christ an ongoing organic reality that opens us up, transforms us, avails us to respond more fully to the gift of grace offered by God in Christ and thus be strengthen and transformed until Christ is complete in us.
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