" Surrounded by Wolves"...

Now, if you're like me, you probably find this story to be extremely repulsive. It kind of makes you wonder why anyone would allow a creature as innocent and defenseless as a lamb to be exposed to such harsh cruelty. But wait a minute. Have you read what Jesus has to say regarding the fate of those who have made the commitment to follow Him?  He said, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. (Matthew 10:16, 17)   

Now, if this doesn't seem like a turn off, I don't know what does. How could anyone hear this and still possess a sincere desire to remain faithful to the call to follow Christ? It doesn't sound very much like the religious appeals that are made by many of the mega church pastors that we see on television each week. To hear them tell it, accepting the invitation to become a disciple of Jesus is the sure fire way of obtaining everything you've ever wanted in life, literally over night. But the call to discipleship has never been an invitation to having all of our needs met. Instead, the call that Jesus extends to us is one that demands that we are willing not to receive all, but a willingness to relinquish all.

And herein is where I believe much of the conflict lies. You see, Jesus never calls His followers to become successful; as is the idea for many believers today, especially believers in much of the western world. Instead, Jesus' call is one that requires that His followers possess a determined faithfulness, even if that faithfulness causes them to lose their own lives (Revelation 2:10). The call to faithfulness is one that is expected not just when we are placed in a protective environment where we are shielded from the evil forces of this age, but rather, it is a faithfulness that is to be lived out in our lives even when we are surrounded by wolves.