Be Wise as Serpents (Matthew 10:16)
Gary McManus, 04/26/2020Part of the Sermons for a Pandemic series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
April 26, 2020 The Third Sunday of Easter
Crisis = decisions have to be made.
Jesus’ word today is a word to you AND
a word to me, the Pastor
Jesus’ call is to ALL of us
to be wise as serpents.
Disease was in Jesus’ day an enemy of the people
(Exodus 23:25, Deuteronomy 7:15)
Sickness was also viewed as punishment
([Deuteronomy 28:59-61)
This explains, to some extent, the rejection that
the Pharisees often showed to those who were sick.
It wasn’t just that the law of Moses said for lepers to be removed but the people. (Leviticus 13:46)
It was often thought that the leper must have offended God to be so afflicted.(2 Kings 5:27)
The mentally ill were seen as beset with demons—possessed.
(Matthew 17:14ff., Mark 5:1-8, and others)
Demon possession was often viewed as cooperative—
even power OVER the demons (Mathew 12:24 and others).
Jesus, the Messiah came healing—driving back the forces of darkness, driving back the forces of illness. . . .body, mind, and soul. .
Our Lord Jesus healed everyone who was brought to him.
(Matthew 4:23, Matthew 9:35, Matthew 10:1,
see also Luke 4:40, Luke 7:21)
So, Jesus is with us now and for us in our present fight against the Coronavirus.
It is still wrong to worship in large crowds:
Luke 4:9-12, Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 6:16.
Is it wise to test the Lord God?
Are Jesus’ words not also present day advice for us?
In our case the wolves are the viruses.
We are the sheep without protection.
(Doves are also pure for offerings (Luke 2:24).)
Serpents = five words:
serpent, snake, viper, adder and cobra.
They are used interchangeably.
See the Encyclopedia Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/animal/snake
Snakes are misunderstood .
3,400 species > 300 are venomous and only
half of those can be lethal to humans.
The serpent is a sign of healing
(the caduceus). Also John 3:14 pointing to
Numbers 21:8-9.
Jesus calls us to be LIKE the snakes with regard
to cunning or wisdom. Genesis 3:1: subtle!
Jesus knew some of the same snakes that we do.
Dissertation, Wendy Golding:
Perceptions of the Serpent in the Ancient Near East:
Its Bronze Age Role in Apotropaic Magic, Healing
and Protection.
[The Huluppu tree snake just might be the
snake that is mentioned in Jeremiah 8:17.]
Jesus is talking to his followers about
BEING good followers. So, like a snake,
we wouldn’t SEEK confrontation.
If there is an arrest and trial, don’t worry
(Matthew 10:19)
W.D.Davies: “our devotion to Jesus’ mission is not
inconsistent with the call for PRACTICAL PRUDENCE.” Practical prudence is our health and our survival. Jesus wants living disciples to carry the message of the Gospel.
We will want to remember Jesus words. . .adding in verse 17: “Be on your guard. . .” Amen
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