Controversy

We got to be discussing a bit about the character of Jesus with some colleagues
An interesting word came up - controversy
He was a controversial person
He did not what people expected and did what was not the norm
He was no respecter of people when you really look at what he did
His tone likewise is something we consider harsh
Look at the tenth chapter of the book of Matthew
Here He was sending off His disciples. He told them whither to go.
He told them what to expect and what they should do in every circumstance.
It was straight forward – for such a situation this is what you do. If they do not meet such standards this is what you do. No middle line, no grey areas.
There was no room for slack on either side.
What got my attention are the lost sheep of Israel that they’d been sent to gather
These sheep belong and someone’s being sent to look for them where they’re scattered all over. The interesting bit is where these sheep are to be found
Amongst wolves
Who would have associated lost sheep with wolves?
What were they looking for amongst wolves?
And why were the wolves not preying on them?
Look at the current situation
Are we not the lost sheep with the disciples looking for us in the wilderness?
They have their lives at stake as they walk amongst the wolves to win us back to our shepherd
I think we’re too hard on those who try to win us to Christ
We forget that they need us for their upkeep
We forget that they’re not meant to beg us to come to Christ
We forget who sent them
We forget who we are
We forget where we are
We forget where we’re meant to be
May today be a reminder that as lost sheep someone is looking for us so that we go back to our Shepherd
If we tarry too long, the wolves may turn on us before we are herded back to safety.