Lambs Among Wolves

February 25, 2020

“The Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.” “Heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”” —Luke 101-3, 9, 17 NKJV

A few years ago, a popular “gotcha” line for some Christians was, “I read the end of the book and we win.” I can understand the sentiment. For years now, we have been witnessing the wholesale abandonment of Christian values in the public marketplace; catchphrases like this can bring a sense of reassurance to those feeling the tremors of the world they knew crumbling beneath their feet. The problem with this kind of talk is how it diminishes the message of the Bible and the faith needed if we are to live into it.

I wonder what was going on in the minds of the disciples when Jesus told them he was sending them out as sheep to the wolves. Not exactly inspiring for a pep talk! Here’s what we often miss—when Jesus sent them out with these words, they had no idea how it would all turn out. “Lambs among wolves” doesn’t do much to steady the soul, to steel the spine. Peter the bragger might have taken it as a challenge, but I’m guessing some of the others were less than enamored with the task he set before them. They knew what wolves did to lambs.

But they went. Perhaps hesitatingly, maybe stepping gingerly, but they went, apparently not expecting much of a positive response. After all, they were amazed that “even the demons are subject to us in your name!” This, they never anticipated. 

The lesson is clear. Jesus never promised an easy road. Quite to the contrary, he gave us plenty of warning that it would be tough, we would face opposition, danger, and even death. The issue is never dependent on the certainty of the outcome, but on the commitment to just do it. When we step out in faithful obedience to the call of Christ, we cannot even imagine the adventure he has in store. Who ever heard of demons being subject to uneducated peasants? But these men who went out not knowing what to expect other than it could get ugly, came back with stories they would tell their grandchildren someday. 

Don’t shortchange their amazement with your knowledge of how it all turned out in the end, because if you do, you’ll miss the amazement God has in store for you when you step out bleating like a lamb into your pack of wolves. I’m glad to know how it ended for them. It encourages me today when God calls me to step into what looks to me like certain disaster. Even if I don’t encounter any demons, I can expect to return with joy.