I’m sure that when you initially read the title, you probably chuckled in disbelief. There’s NO WAY a lamb is greater than a wolf, right? Why say such a thing?
In Luke 10:3, Jesus is speaking with His disciples and tells them, “Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.” In another translation the scripture says, “Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.”
Why on earth would Jesus tell his disciples to go out from the comfort of following Him AND remind them that they are being sent out as lambs among wolves in the same sentence? Isn’t that counterintuitive to give someone a directive, but then tell them that what they are being asked to do is dangerous, and essentially a suicide mission? Yes, it is counterintuitive, which is why we must look deeper.
In Matthew 10:1, it says that Jesus “called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.” A few verses later in Matthew 10:6, Jesus tells his disciples to go out and reach the lost “sheep.”
There are several translations that aim to describe the meaning of the word “authority” in Matthew 10:1, but in my opinion, there isn’t a word that exists to accurately depict what was imparted into the disciples, which is why there are various interpretations.
When looking back at Luke 10:3, it’s evident that prior to being told to go out, the disciples were equipped with something supernatural given by Jesus Himself. I truly believe that the disciples were given a specific covering — a mantle — perhaps even the glory of God Himself to go out and do what Jesus had called them to do. The purpose of the impartation wasn’t just to give them the authority to perform miracles, but the authority upon them was a guarantee of their success in their endeavors!
Looking again at the reference to lambs amongst wolves, I did a little research and found a few interesting details concerning the profession of shepherding and taking care of sheep:
- Within just a few hours after being birthed, lambs can be self-sustaining as long as they stay close to their personal food source.
- Many times, lambs are kept apart from adult sheep, in a separate pen or building, so that the shepherds can keep a closer eye on them and tend to them as needed. It’s also a form of protection, allowing the lambs to mature and become accustomed to the voice of their shepherd to heed their call.
- A final detail that I found concerning shepherding goes back to how sheep were protected during ancient biblical times. Sheep were kept in sheepfolds which were rock-walled enclosures of loosely stacked stones with one entryway. Oftentimes, the shepherd would lay in front of the entryway to keep the sheep from getting out or anything from getting in.
So, what was Jesus really saying in Luke 10:3? He was reminding the disciples that in the same manner that shepherds go to great lengths to protect their lambs from predators and calamity, Jesus would also be with them guiding them, shielding them, and giving them authority over anything that comes against them, and He would lay His life down to ensure their success and the success of future “lambs” who would heed His call.
But why lambs instead of sheep? I believe this is a prophetic reference pointing to the fact that God is birthing a new manifestation of His power among a generation of people who have remained obedient to His voice and have not strayed from His presence despite the opposition and dangers.
As we enter 2024, I want you to be encouraged in knowing that the Great Shepherd, Jesus, is with you, guiding you, and protecting you as you go the way that you have been called to go. The death and resurrection of our Savior has guaranteed your success of fulfilling your purpose as long as you stay close to your food source, His presence.
You’re a part of a generation that has been set apart and hidden, but it’s time to go out into the harvest, with the authority that has been given to you, to reach those who have been lost. It’s time now to show why lambs truly are greater than wolves.