Wise as serpents, harmless as doves
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Matthew 10:1-15
Matthew 10:16 is a veritable menagerie of Biblical imagery:
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
Not since the ark have so many animals been crammed into so short a Scriptural space. Yet Jesus thinks we will be well prepared for the mission field if we consider these four creatures: There is the weakness of sheep, the ferocity of wolves, the wisdom of serpents and the innocence of doves. Since we have already thought of sheep amidst wolves, let’s consider the serpents and doves.
Nowhere but here are serpents held up as positive role models! The serpent is the devil himself (Genesis 3; Revelation 12). Therefore the serpent’s pairing with a dove is very surprising. Just a few chapters previously we saw the Spirit descending “like a dove” upon Jesus (Matthew 3:16).
How do serpents and doves relate?
Well serpents do have one positive attribute: “subtlety” / “wisdom” / “guile,” (Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3). The serpent is famous for its powers of persuasion, though in the devil’s case this is wrought through deception.
And so the Christian is to be shrewd like the most evil spirit and as pure as the most Holy Spirit. How do we square up those traits?
Well it’s interesting that the dove-like Holy Spirit is also known for his wisdom (see for instance the book of Proverbs). This is the point of similarity between them – there is a guile-full wisdom in the serpent; a guile-less wisdom in the dove. Jesus is therefore double-underlining the need for shrewd dealings. Sheep wandering among wolves will need incredible wisdom – but not the cunning of the serpent. It’s purified wisdom.
Jesus goes on in Matthew 10 to tell His disciples how this purified wisdom will look under fire:
“But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” (Matthew 10:19-20)
Just as Christ is equipped by the Spirit of His Father, so are Christians. Jesus’ disciples share not only His mission, not only His sufferings, but also His Spirit. As we suffer for His name’s sake, our fellowship with Christ will be profound. Under persecution we will experience even more dramatically our adoption by the Father and our anointing with the Spirit. We are little christs, holding out the Christ.
And as we think in these categories it becomes clear that the ultimate picture of a serpentine dove is Christ Himself as He encounters the wolves. Remember how He repeatedly avoided capture and unnecessary controversy until the time was right. Remember how He answered His opponents with Scripture after Scripture. Remember as He was tried the total lack of self-justification. Remember how He entrusted Himself “to Him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet 2:23). And remember the end-point – martyrdom.
To be wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove is not a way of avoiding suffering. For sheep among wolves there’s no way of avoiding suffering. In a wicked world, harmless doves cannot expect to live long and prosper. But since we can only be crucified once, serpentine wisdom will help us to pick the right battles and to make them count.
Hi Glen! I`ve enjoyed reading your thoughtful and deep searching page until I hit your phrase: “We are little christs”.
You know that this is a dangerous way of putting it. There`s only one Christ and we who belong to Him are His servants and disciples -we`re the flock of the Shephard, we`re His sheep. He is the Lamb.
Apostle John did say in his letters that “…because as he is, so are we in this world” but he said it in the context he encouraged the disciples to love one another. “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” (1.John 4:2)
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2.Cor.4:7)
Sorry to tag on in one verse, but I think we`ve seen already where does it lead to -into that sad version of the gospel which is spread now worldwide -and which I see you`re obviously not for.
Hi Johanna,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I realise that some people might take our “christing” in false directions. But as you note – I’m travelling 180 degrees from those who want to make a prosperity point out of this. As the post makes clear – *because* we are anointed with the same Spirit, so we will suffer just as Christ suffers. Our sharing in Christ’s identity does not protect us from persecution but propels us into it.
Having said that, I stand by calling Christians “little christs.” Did you know that this is what the name Christian means?
I am bold to call myself a son of God. Even though Jesus is The Son of God (in whom I am adopted). I am bold to call myself chosen. Even though Jesus is The Chosen One of God (in whom I am chosen). I am bold to call myself righteous. Even though Jesus is The Righteous One (in whom I am made righteous). I am bold to call myself an offspring of Abraham. Even though Jesus is The Offspring of Abraham (in whom I am made a citizen). I am bold, together with the rest of the church, to call myself the light of the world. Even though Jesus is The Light of the world (in whom we are made light). etc, etc, etc.
In this sense I am a christ – an anointed one – even though that is only in and through The Christ.
Again and again the Bible says that the Christian is – derivatively and by sheer grace – what Christ is – originally and by nature. We need to embrace this truth and be *more* Christ-centred than the prosperity teachers. *Because* I am one with the Suffering Servant, my anointing can mean nothing else but suffering and serving with Him and in Him.
yours in Jesus,
Glen
Hi again, Gil!
I already put an answer to you via email but still liked to give you a link to an interesting site which also incubates this issue in good spirit. The address is: http://xrysostom.blogspot.fi/2007/03/luther-lewis-and-christs.html
Furthermore I`d still need a confirmation if the name christian really means a “little christ”? Since some people say it can mean “The household of Christ” as well. And the Thayer’s Greek Lexicon (King James` Strongs) simply says it means a follower of Christ. So where does the exact word “little christ” come from?
The crusial thing that still bothers me most is the fact that nowhere in the Bible can I read the exact words that say that the christians are “little christs”. (Unless you consider it as the only meaning for the word “christian”.)
However, I understand exactly what you are saying and stating and I agree with 99 percent of it.
Maybe it`s just my mind constantly saying that there`s not so much difference between the word “Christ” than the word “christ” – that it is dangerous enough to call oneself “a christ”.
I`m not bold enough to call myself a christ -not even a little one- when I know I`m still struggling with my old nature. I`m not bold enough to call myself a christ when I still have to confront and fight with temptations. I still do know that God sees us perfect through Jesus and doesn`t impute our trespasses to us.
Instead I am quite content to say I`m a follower of Christ and a friend of Jesus and a member of His household and family. I am content to say I am His servant and a child of God out of the sheer mercy of our Heavenly Father through the precious blood of His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I am content with that, and I dont feel I have to be more than that, to be “a christ”.
Being a hundred and one percent sure of your pure intentions to keep the gospel straight, I thank you for understanding for my worry about this matter. And by your sayings I also know you will agree with the following verses of the Bible.
God bless you and your studies from now on too!
- – -
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Phil. 2:5-11)
I`m just suggesting that as there are many interpretations for the word “christian”, wouln`t it be more accurate and clear to talk about the Body of Christ only. At least it would be safe.