Wise Serpents - Innocent Doves (Acts 23 and Matthew 10:16 ESV)

 

Here's a satisfying verse ...

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpants and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16 ESV).

Jesus was sending his disciples out to preach and heal but these words carried fair warning of impending persecution.  Being sent in to the midst of wolves sounds ominous, but He did add strategy for navigating through the pack.  They could be "wise as serpents" - #1, and second, innocent as doves."

A few days ago I killed a serpent that had had the audacity to slither over my feet in my kitchen.  Wriggling and wily serpents give me the shivers!

Then for a couple of nights in a row, I dreamt of colorful serpents.  NOT nice!

Serpents seem to be coming at me from all angles.  My husband was watching a documentary of like the top ten (or so - can't exactly recall) places in the world where human beings absolutely cannot live, or they live with exceedingly difficult existences and hard won survival due to extreme weather to weather.

One of those places named was Snake Island, off the coast of Brazil.  It said that there was one highly venomous golden lancehead viper per one square meter in some parts of the 430,000 square meter island.

There is a coast guard, guarding the island 24/7 for the protection of stupid people (my term) who'd think they were so invicible they could "visit" the island unscathed.  (Well, these snakes are also on the endangered species list thus another plausible reason for the guarding.)

The golden lanceheads are beautiful creatures but, they are still serpents.  Deadly ones, yet in order to catch their prey they have to be wise. They have to be shrewd.  However, they are neither harmless nor innocent.  Did you know they curl up on a branch, for instance, and let their tail hang down and wiggle it to deceive birds that there's a nice juicy worm to be had?  Once lured, the bird ..., well, you get the picture.  It was definitely a time not to be early.

Conversely, the small, quick tripping motion of a dove's walk with its bobbing head as it goes along, often cooing, appears to be the epitome of innocence and harmlessness.  We often see them around and I think they are rather sweet and unassuming birds.

So saying, let's find what's happening with Paul in regards to serpents and innocent doves.  He's been rescued from the murderous crowds who so desired to beat him, quite possibly, to death.  The Roman soldiers were ordered to get him into the barracks for safety reasons, but also so he could be more closely examined as to why the people were all stirred up.

The next day he was brought before the high priest Ananias and others of the religious Jewish leaders while the Roman  tribunal looked on.  This is where Paul, who could read a crowd apparently, used the wise serpent-innocent dove tactic.

Paul ascertained that some of the religious rulers were of the Sadducees' persuasion and some were of the Pharisees'.  The former did not believe in resurrection of the dead, angels or of spirits while the latter did.

It seems like Paul was attempting to divide and conquer with his shrewd remarks, declaring himself to be a Pharisee and stating his belief in those three basic areas.  He got his desired effect.

The hostile accusers became divided and ...

 " ... the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks" (v. 10 ESV).

Paul's "innocent shrewdness" is somewhat amusing but he still did not have his freedom.  Thankfully, he once again escaped being "torn to pieces".  God wasn't finished with him yet.

This was serious business.  The heading of the Scriputre section from which I have taken the Matthew 10:16 verse in the YouVersion ESV, reads,

 "Persecution Will Come."  

If you read from verse 16 through 20, you'll see what Jesus taught and what Paul had been experiencing as recorded by Luke in the Book of Acts.

Persecution can come in many forms but we can have some preparedness and readiness by studying these verses that come straight from our Lord's mouth.  And as we listen for Holy Spirit's guidance about being as wise as serpents and innocent as doves, pray for the correct Christlike way to speak and act.  Then watch out for the wolves.

Father God, thank You for Your many provisions for us, especially in view of persecution of Your people.  The advice and instruction Jesus gave to the disciples is helpful.  Help us to use it aright and in whatever wise shrewdness we use, it will indeed be harmless and innocent.  May Your Holy Spirit lead and guide us, along with Your word, all the days of our lives, which You have numbered.  We thank You in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                   ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 23 and Matthew 10:16 ESV.

Sing, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, along with Sovereign Grace Music.

Prepared and Ready (Acts 22 and 1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

 

Paul longed to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone.  He even had presence of mind to share his own testimony of conversion and then the "what else" of his God-given mission to bring the message of Jesus to the Gentiles.

He had all this very ready in his mind and heart and on his tongue - ready to speak.  He did so even in the very midst of a mob bent on beating him to death.  He had had to be rescued by Roman soldiers.

But before he was carted off and carried away into the protection of their barracks, he asked for the floor and opportunity to speak to the seething crowd.  Amazingly, they allowed it.

Whether you call it brazen, brass or brave, Paul explains his life and life mission.  The crowd quiets and listens until the trigger point of his telling them he had been sent to the Gentiles.

And then they exploded in anger and murderous intent, once again.  Paul was whisked away into the barracks.  He was taken in to be kept safe, per se.  Safe from the crowds but now he faced flogging at the hands of the Romans to discover what was at the bottom of the throng's uproar.

Paul has his trump card though.  He revealed his Roman citizenship which gave him certain protection; that is, in this case to avert the flogging.  He still wasn't quite let off the hook though.  He still had to face the tribunal, and council of Roman authority and the Jewish chief priests.

If he was looking for an audience, Paul certainly had one now.  But I believe his bravery and courage in the face of all these was God-given through the Holy Spirit.

Not everyone is called to face such intense opposition and being called into question.  However, God's Word does ask us to be ready to give an answer.

" ... but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.  Yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15 ESV).

This is so nice sounding, and to be able to do it all with "gentleness and respect".  In our anger and frustration this doesn't always pan out; myself a key example.  I need to think this all through.  Hopefully, I will be able to act appropriately upon this in Christlike manner, being as gentle and harmless as a dove.  These are thoughts that came to me as I read Acts 22 yesterday and today (25/3/26).

May we each think it out and be as prepared and ready as Paul had been.

In Jesus' name, so be it.

                                                ~  ERC  March 20265  ~

Based on Acts 22 and 1 peter 3:15 ESV.

Sing, I Speak Jesus, along with Charity Gayle.

What Else? (Acts 21 ESV)

 The Apostle Paul's soul longed to tell others of Jesus.  So he did.  He did so even with the threat of persecution hanging over his head.  Oh, and not just the threat, the actual act of it, such as when he was being thrown or dragged out of a city and stoned or beaten.

In this 21st chapter of Acts, Paul longed to go to Jerusalem to fulfill a vow.  So he did.  He visited the other apostles and reported his missionary journeyings among the Gentiles and of all God was doing among them.

He had been warned though, not to go.  In the end he would not be persuaded against it.  So the persuaders said,

"Let the will of the Lord be done" (vs 14).

Sure enough the Jewish crowds got riled up.  They misunderstood and listened to the gossip.  They began mob beating him.  But he was rescued, barely by the skin of his teeth, by Roman soldiers.

There are times when God's messengers have been rescued by 'great fish' such as Jonah,  by angels such as Peter from prison and now Paul is rescued by soldiers.  Their lives had not yet completed their missions.

Whether it was by fear or disobedience, and then repentance or from a gross misunderstanding that God rescues us, it seems we will need to think of the 'what else' He wants us to do.

Acts 21 ends with a cliff-hanger,

" ... he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying ..." (vs 40 ESV).

Of course we can rush on to Acts 22 and read the 'what else' and 'what's next' but in our day-to-day lives we do not know what a day may bring forth (see James 4:14).  We can put our lives in our Lord's hands though and join the persuaders,

"Let the will of the Lord be done."

Our times are in His hands.

Jonah did finally complete his mission despite his great displeasure and anger.  Paul too, finished his race but a bit more graciously.  We can learn to trust our Lord to work together with Him for our own 'what else,' until Jesus comes or we go to be with Him before all others do.

Let's be faithful - long for it.

                                               ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 21 ESV.

Sing, "Your Will Be Done", along with City Alight.

Ahead, Behind, Beside

 Either the man walks 6-10 feet ahead or decides that day to trail behind about that much.  How can two walk together?  Or, he drives fast, almost recklessly, or at a snail-like pace.

What is the motivating mood?

Are the angels chasing him or restricting his momentum?  Only he can answer - if he's willing.

This is not two or more people walking together in agreeance.  It's a tough, sad case.  What can be done?  If the man is not willing to see what he is doing, or at least admit to it and overcome his problem and constant opposition, no one will be able to change his mind.  He will not desire to walk in peace, harmony and agreement.

A person like this may not be able to find a marriage partner.  If he is already married, it will be very sad for his wife.  How can there be satisfying communication and companionship?  How about repoire and a becoming one - not just of the consummation on the marital bed entitled in a marriage by consent, but also of minds working together as an effective, happy and content team?  True partnership is invaluable but the man is indifferent to it.

A host of angels would be hard-pressed to intervene.  The Holy Spirit is likely quenched in such a person who claims to belong to the Lord.  May the Lord open this type of person's ears, mind and heart, creating a contrite, repentant heart and who comes to care and be caring of those who try to walk and live "close" to him.  Open his eyes, Lord.  Foil the tempters power to break apart marriages and churches.  May all learn to walk in step with the Holy Spirit and by so doing, with his loved ones.

Lord, wherever You encounter such a person, bring them to heel, to accept Your bit and bridle, to walk BESIDE You and the ones he supposedly loves.  Abide with us, so we can walk beside You.  We ask in Jesus' name, amen.

                                                     ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 5:25.

sing, Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Magic Arts Bonfire (Acts 19:11-21 ESV)

 There are bonfires and there are bonfires.  Some are very pleasant to sit around, especially on a cool to cold starry night.  You can sit before it and sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; roast marshmellows and/or make s'mores; chat campanionably with your companions or just sit and soak up the warmth of the fire and the general atmosphere of 'being and belonging'.

Another type of bonfire is what we read about in Acts chapter 19 and verses 18-20.  It was a great bunch of books that were openly tossed into the flames to be burned.  They  were magic arts books.

The owners who had practiced the magic arts had become believers and followers of Jesus Christ.  Satan, the occult and all attached to those practices were being cut off from their lives.  They

 "burned them (the books) in the sight of all" (v. 19 ESV).

They meant business and showed it by their actions, declaring to one and all their renouncement of the magic arts and way of life and then their new found freedom in Christ.

They had made a clean break because before that bonfire happened, they had come,

"confessing and divulging their practices' (v. 18).

It was a pivotal time in their lives.  No turning back now.  The collective cost of those burned books had been 50,000 pieces of silver.  If you Google that you'll discover that it is roughtly equal to today's USD $37,200-50,000!  That was a lot of wealth.  One day's laborer wage back then was one denarii.  How long had it taken to earn enough to buy all those books!?

But now they severed their connections and it likely had hurt to relinquish all the cost they represented.  But they voluntarily burned all.  They meant business!

Because of the phrase "confessing and divulging" it indicates to me that some, if not all, had been secretly practicing these magic arts.  So this is a further sign of their genuine faith in Jesus and Holy Spirit conviction within them.

It was the cost of following Jesus vs the cost of that life and money spent.  They counted that cost, overcame any fear of repercussion of the evil spirits involved in those magic arts' counterattack.

I feel that their faith in Christ was truly genuine.  Now their hearts were set on fire - a great bonfire in their lives, to follow Jesus.

Oh, the wonder of it all!  And because of it we're told,

"So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed" (v. 20).

[There's nothing magic about this!]

When former idol worshippers and magicians come to Christ, it could be a hurdle for them to fully give up all connected to that former way of life.  All the articfacts, idol statues, altars and so on and so forth, need to be disposed of, no matter.

There could be hesitation as they count the cost of the literal monetary value of all those items, added to the fear of evil spirit retaliation, and of family connections who are opposed to their new found faith in Jesus.  Then their own attachment to that way of life.  It will be a major 'housecleaning' to cut the apron strings, so to speak, from it all.

I know of one lady who was hard pressed to 'clean house'.  She could never, as yet, cut all those ties.  Instead of burning the artifacts, she gave them away.  She'd paid good money for them.  She was also fearful of evil spirit redress.  In the ensuing years she never fully followed Jesus and was full of paralyzing fear.  Those things were still idols in her heart and her fear of them were greater then her fear of the Lord.  There was very little joy and the word of God did not grow in her.

This is why I believe it is of immense import to confiscate, voluntarily, all a new believer in Jesus, once worshiped.  The person cannot be forced to do so.  It must come from their heart - willingly and with sincerity.

It's only by God's grace we can stand, by faith, and cling on to Jesus.  It is in Him we live, move and have our being.  We can acknowledge Him by truly making Him our God through Jesus and fearing Him only.  Count the cost, and may we each have a bonfire for Jesus kindled in our hearts until He comes.  In Jesus' name, so be it.

                                                   ~  ERC  March  2026  ~

Based on Acts 19:11-21 ESV.

Sing, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, along with Lydia Walker.

Apollus' Portrait (Acts 18:24-28 ESV)

 What do you admire in a man?  A Jew named Apollos was desscribed, not by his appearance - he may or may not have been tall, dark and handsome - but by his character and how he used his God-given gifts.

He was 

"eloquent" and "competent in the Scriptures."  

He had been

 "instructed in the way of the Lord" 

and must have listened well to the instructions.  This could indicate an obedient and even humble attitude.  Luke continues to detail, Apollos was

 "fervent in spirit" 

and he 

"taught accurately" and diligently (KJV), "the things concerning Jesus ...."

Apollos also had courage, he 

"spoke boldly."  

And he got encouragement to travel as he'd planned and

 "greatly helped those who through faith had believed."

His portrait doesn't stop there.  He was able to

"powerfully refute ... in public, showing by Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus"!

Wow!

What a man!

In my opinion, if Proverbs 31 is a portrayal of what a noble woman is, this peek at Apollos would be a good example of what a noble man might look like.

No doubt there is much more to be said, but I'd admire this in a brother-in-Christ.  We could probably add that he was faithful.  Faithful in his faith and in his service, poured out like and offering to the Lord, to His word and to those he served among.

All believers in Jesus Christ who fear God and walk humbly before Him and  in step with the Holy Spirit could have a similar portrait.  May we each be faithful to the Lord and His service, using our gifts for His glory and by His grace until He calls us home to be with Him.  

Perhaps today, but remain ever faithful, until ...

                                                 ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 18:24-28 ESV

Sing, Must I Go Empty Handed?, along with Risen Lord.

Hot Cross Buns (Easter 2026)

 I've often wondered about Hot Cross Buns.  Why do we see them at Easter time?  I even made some the other day - for better or for worse.  Ahem ...

Anyway, my curiosity finally led me, after all these years, to investigate.  The icing cross, of course, is obvious.  It represents Jesus' dying on the cross.

Then when I saw the recipe called for spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, I was surprized.  I hadn't realized there were supposed to be spices in these buns.

I rather like the symbolism of the spices.   They remind us of the spices the women brought to anoint Jesus, which we know they did't get a chance to use in the end as Jesus had already risen from the dead.

I like the beautiful, caring and loving thoughtfulness of these women who showed their regard and care for Jesus.  In their sorrow they offered these spices, especially for Him.

The buns, being bread, clearly remind us that Jesus is the Bread of Life.  Secondly, that we can often eat of the broken bread during holy communion, or as some people prefer to call it, the "Breaking of Bread," in obedience to Jesus' request to remember Him in His death and resurrection for us.  He had told his disciples at the Last Supper,,

"Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19 ESV).

The monk, Brother Thomas Rodecliffe is attributed to having started this Hot Cross Bun tradition away back in England in 1361.  Originally called the "Alban Bun" (from St. Alban's Abbey) [AI Overview].

It was a great and delicious way to tell the story of Jesus, not in a nutshell, but in a bun. 

 Interesting, right?  Let's praise Jesus for all He's done for us.

Praise the Lord, Jesus is risen.  He is alive!  We serve a risen Savior.

Remember Him.

                                                    ~ ERC  April  2026  ~

Based on Luke 22:19 and The AI Overview Story of Alban Buns.

Sing, Bread of Life, along with Forever Be Sure.