Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 30, Genesis 31:1-16
NT: Matthew 10:1-23
Ps: Psalm 12
Pr: Proverbs 3:13-15
Today´s notable verse:
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Matthew 10:16 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog notes:
Matthew 10 verse 16 stands out – “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wary as snakes and harmless as doves.” This is good advice for us today as well. Jesus is still sending us out today as his followers. And I do think this teaching is wise – for us to be wary and harmless at the same time. It’s an interesting line to walk, but I believe a wise one. I believe the only way to really walk this line well is through the blessing of the Holy Spirit. I don’t think we can do it on our own…
I chose this verse as today’s notable verse as well. Though, the connotation of the NIV’s translation as “shrewd as snakes” seems to have more emphasis than the NLT’s translation as “wary as snakes.” The ESV and Youngs Literal Translation translate this phrase as “wise as serpents”, Darby translates as “prudent as serpents”, Wycliffe translates as “sly as serpents.” The original Greek word used here is phronimos, which means “practically wise, sensible” and is derived from phroneo, which means “to have understanding, to think.” Perhaps this understanding brings much more clarity, eh? Jesus is telling his disciples to think and to understand; to be wise, practical, and sensible with respect to the world around them, and the people with whom they interact. The term in, but not of applies here, since Jesus also tells his disciples to be “blameless as doves.” Indeed, it is a fine line to walk – to learn enough of the world and of people to understand them, yet to keep ourselves set apart from the world, and from worldly people. If we separate ourselves from the world, we don’t risk being influenced by the world – but we also have no opportunity to influence the world for Christ, as salt and light. I would rather face my own failure to set myself apart from the world and risk sinning than isolate myself from the world and risk the opportunity to help one who is lost in the world to find Christ. You know what, either way, I’m going to sin. I do, every day! But on the one hand, God can use me; on the other, I am useless. I would much rather be a useful sinner than useless sinner. Either way, my salvation is secure; but, oh, that I would hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on my discussion of “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant above, are there other Biblical fiction books that you have read that you would recommend? The Red Tent is the first Biblical fiction book I have read, and I’d like to read some more. Please post up in the Comments section below any other Biblical fiction books you’d recommend?
I know it’s probably not exactly what you are looking for, but Eli by Bill Myers was a great read. It is a parallel-universe “what-if” book based on the premise that the Gospel story happens in the present-day United States. (Bill Myers’ Fire of Heaven trilogy is great as well, but it is apocalyptic Christian fiction, and definitely outside the scope of the question. His best book may be Face of God.)
UPDATE:
Bald Man Blogging poses this question:
Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” And suddenly they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But instead, they spread his fame all over the region.
Curious why Jesus didn’t want them to say anything. As a result of their testimony, legions of sick were brought to Jesus wherever he went. Was he hoping to escape the crowds and get on to something else? Was this great healing ministry a “sidetrack” to Jesus’ real purpose? Again, I don’t have answers; just questions.
I can think of several reasons Jesus may have given the erstwhile blind men such a command (and he does so elsewhere, as well) – reasons consistent with what we know of Christ. Perhaps it was a matter of timing? Even with Jesus, his ministry had a specific timing in which he was to carry it out – just as we today see the element of timing in God’s plan for our lives. Perhaps it was important the Jesus’ ministry that those who sought him for healing did so because of their belief in who he claimed to be, rather than their belief in the testimony of those whom he had already healed. Perhaps these men (and others to whom he gave the same command) needed some element of personal/spiritual growth that could only be accomplished through their subsequent experience with living healed yet unable to explain how or by whom. All of the above? None? This question is perhaps one of those for which we won’t know the answer until Christ’s return.