Dun-dun-DUT-Dut-dun-dun-DUN-Dut…way before Tom Cruise was hanging off mountain sides and dangling from airplanes, Mission: Impossible, the TV series (1966-1973), thrilled spectators of all ages. The series was known for its thrills, suspense, and ripping off rubber faces for the sake of the mission. A fictitious mission leading us to our real Mission of understanding and applying our next Wonderfully Weird Command: Be Wise As Serpents.
Let me light the fuse by sharing what our Head Agent, Jesus, said in Matthew 10:16. Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (ESV). Let's break it down to understand this hidden message to see what it means. The first part of the message, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves," is derived from the original Greek language. The word is "apostello." It means "setting apart and sending out on a mission." Are you on a mission with Jesus and following His Commands?
The second aspect of our hidden message is to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. What is it to be wise? Well, know up front, it's not the same as being smart. Anyone can quickly become acquainted with facts, truths, or principles, but if a person doesn't apply them to their lives, they are just the opposite, fools. Understand as we learn The Wonderfully Weird Commands; knowing them is not the goal; living them out is the reality we are after. Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Next, what does it mean to be innocent as doves? Most understand doves symbolize peace as represented in the Bible: Noah's account, Solomon's story, and Jesus's baptism should come to mind. Also, modern-day "Peace Officers" who protect and serve should come to memory. As Christ-followers, we must be mirror agents of the King "Peace Officer," Jesus, and be willing to protect and serve God's Love and Mission as he did. Doing so will make you innocent and blameless in ways that will generate the realization of God's mission.
There are many reasons for being on a mission with God and others. Still, the best explanation is we get to live a thrilling, suspenseful, and ripping-off "fake" face life where we "get to" be on a target that increases God's Goodness for always. Now, to accept this mission, I encourage Christians to continue to learn, understand, and apply The Wonderfully Weird Commands of Christ, hone them in your makeup to become the very best Jesus Agent you can be for God and fellow agents. Doing so will result in a life that works well and highly honors the sensitive mission God has for you. Your mission, should you accept it, is "Be Wise as Serpents." This devotion will self-destruct five seconds after you read it if you don't apply and live it out for the rest of your life.
With care,