Matthew 10:16-20 Greater is He in us than he that is in this world!

“Man is born broken.

He lives by mending.

The grace of God is the glue.”

Eugene O'Neill

The founding members of the Jewish converts to Christ were persecuted. Against all odds the fledgling Body of Christ went out to all the world. Their growth is a miracle attesting to the love and power  of God. The Way has given the world the Good News. It was too great to be only to the Jewish converts and through the Apostle Paul, Jesus, revealed that this gift of salvation  is given to all who by faith believe in Him. The wisdom of Holy Spirit, our teacher and guide, overcomes the evil that threatens us.

Matthew 10:16-20 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

The love of God, in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, covers a multitude of the sins of man. Salvation is the gift of God to all who by faith accept His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He did not leave us alone to fend for ourselves He gives  us Holy Spirit,  as a down payment, to live and abide in us to the glory of God the Father. He will get us safely home. Carla

Snakes are commonly thought of as wise, perhaps because they are silent and dangerous, or because of the way they move. 

In the midst of wolves meant that the apostles would be exposed to hatred and violence from men. Harmless literally means “unmixed,” which may also indicate purity and innocence. God would use Jewish rejection and persecution of the messengers to bring the gospel message to Gentiles. This occurred with Paul in Acts 21:26–36; 24:1–21; 25:13–26:32. The NKJV Study Bible

In the biblical world, serpents were associated with wisdom and cleverness (Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3). Governors and kings were the  highest officials. Jesus is looking beyond his mission and predicting what would happen to His followers in the future. (Acts 4:1–22; 12:1–4; 14:5.) Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will give them the appropriate words to speak. Matthew has mentioned the Holy Spirit in connection with Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 1:18, 20; 3:11, 16; 4:1), and here the Spirit is extended to the ministry of the disciples. Faithlife Study Bible

Luke 12:11–12

“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Mark 13:9–13

“But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations…

Luke 10:3

Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 

Luke 21:12–19

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony…

Acts 4:8

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

Here’s what I know: We live in a world where, more than ever, it is easy to lose our way—yes, to lose track of our heart. To feel derailed, disenfranchised, exasperated.

Or, just plain lost.

Bottom line, we are not at home. And on those days, I wish I was made of stronger stuff. I don’t want to admit it, as it feels like a defect to be concealed.

Okay, I’ll personalize this; when I let the cacophony or noise win, I am not at home.

When either fear, or shame, win, I am not at home.

When I give way to any narrative of small-mindedness (where labels or differences are weaponized), I am not at home.

When I stay mute in the face of intolerance or contempt, I am not at home.

And we want someone to show us the way, or at least, the GPS coordinates.

Let us remember the good news; My wholeness is, in fact, a hidden wholeness, and it comes only as I embrace my brokenness. My messiness. My confusion.

That my identity, my value, my worth, is not predicated on answers or resolutions or tidiness. My identity, my value, my worth, comes from Grace.

Grace is that moment of certainty when I know that if I never did one more seminar, or wrote one more book, or attended one more meeting, it would be okay.

Grace.

At one time, I believed in it.

But now, I have seen it.

“I once was lost but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see” 

But here's the deal: Grace is just not where I expected to find it. Grace is found where God is found, in the pressure points of life. And even in a very broken world, grace is found and spilled, one embrace at a time.

When I understand this, I am free to give up my need for control and answers.

I am free to be at home in my own skin. In this life. Not some tidy life.

I am free to give, to respond with compassion.

I am free to let my life heal, not by denying the pain, but by acknowledging it, and in fact, by keeping my heart open.

I am free to see that the mending does not eliminate the cracks, but allows me to embrace them.

I am free to let that light spill to the world around me.

And insight that allows me to hit the Pause button. And hear, once again, Jesus’ invitation, “Come unto me all who are weary and burdened. I will give you rest.” “Sabbath Moments”