Sending Out the Snakes
Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." I have read several commentaries on this verse and most of them say that the serpent is wise in avoiding danger and the dove has a peaceful disposition. We are to combine these attributes. My take on this is different. The serpent is wise in matters, even cunning. But, it is self-serving and dangerous. His major strategy is to attack first and ask questions later. The dove has a purity, and even naivete about danger. In a battle between the serpent and the dove, there is little doubt of who would prevail if they were in a cage. The best the dove could do is try to avoid attack. In time, the serpent's hunger would triumph over the dove's retreat. At my high school's graduation the other day, doves--or what appeared to be doves--were released at the end of the ceremony. Or, maybe they were white pigeon stand-ins, like stuntmen, who had ...