16"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19But 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; 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21"Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
Whoa, that's enough to make someone change their mind about going on this mission for Jesus! But is this just instruction for his twelve apostles He is sending out or is He giving broader instruction than that? Verses 10:17-22 are almost identical to Jesus' answer in Mark 13:9-13 when Jesus answered the question about what things will be like in the end times. Does this imply that the end times started as soon as Jesus sent out the first apostles to spread the news of the gospel? Does the spreading of the gospel automatically bring out this adversity in the unbelievers? Is this persecution to be faced by anyone who holds strongly to their faith, whether they are in biblical times, today, or the end times? Even though we prefer to not hear of such difficult times, it is good to know if it is something we are all going to face.
A sheep in the midst of wolves would be in great danger, would catch the immediate attention of the wolves. Sometimes it seems like there is a misconception that people who do God's work should only focus on doing that work and that God will protect them in any dangers along the way; at least that is how it is often portrayed in the movies. Sure, Jesus said to be harmless as doves, but He also said to be wise and beware of men.
Jesus said to be wise as serpents. Use wisdom in deciding what is safe to do. Do not make foolish choices that will place you in danger. God instructs you to be wise. Jesus said to be harmless as doves, but beware of men. My dictionary defines beware as to be on guard against or to be cautious of. He is warning them that this is where their biggest threat lies. Don't be foolish, but be wise and aware of the men around you. Do not throw all caution to the wind just because you know you are doing God's work.
But even the greatest wisdom and caution may still not keep you safe from men who would persecute you. Even still, be harmless. If you are being persecuted for Jesus' sake, your greatest strength will be in the words you speak. And don't worry about the words, God will provide you with the right words.
Persecution may come from those least expected: brother against brother, father against child, children against parents, all may turn against you. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Endures what? I don't think He means endures the persecution to the end, for next He says to flee the persecution. But I think He simply means to endure in your faith in Jesus, regardless of those who persecute you because of your faith. There will always be another place to go, for Jesus said you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes, before the end.
I wonder if the next verses deal with their commission to cast out demons. Should they fear demons they encounter? I'm not sure if Beelzebub was a name used for the devil or of one of his demons. Just as a disciple can do no more than his teacher, a servant can do no more than his master. But a disciple can be like his teacher and cast out the same demons his teacher cast out. A servant of Beelzebub on the other hand, can do no more than his master, so should be no more to fear than any other demon. The disciples should be able to cast out any demons without fear.
It took me awhile to see the connection of the last verse to the rest of it. What did things being hidden and covered have to do with fear of demons? Was He just referring to the apostles fear that they might miss something they should see? Did they have a worry that they might overlook some demons that are hidden or disguised? Did they have a worry that they might not know the best place to be, where their help was needed most? Did they have a worry that they might not recognize who their persecutors are until it is too late (for most adversity they meet will ultimately be caused by demons)? But here Jesus is telling them there is nothing they need that will not be revealed and made known to them. They do not need to worry about such things.
So is this enough to turn you away from wanting to do God's wishes? Yes it would be difficult, but God gives you the words you need, is more powerful than any demon you could encounter, will reveal all to you that you need to know, and if you persevere in your faith to the end you will be saved. God never asks you to do more than you are able to do with His help. If God has work for you to do, be wise but harmless, have faith in God, and step forward to do this work.