[286 words]
Well football season is in full swing! If you were granted a new team to join the National Football League, what team name would you choose? Have you ever noticed that when teams choose an animal for a team name it is usually a ferocious one? For example, in the NFL, we have the Bears, the Panthers, the Jaguars, the Bengals, and the Lions. Why isn’t there a team named the Squirrels, the Chipmunks, or the Bunny Rabbits? Because it doesn’t strike fear into an opponent. Fans like team names that sound like they could maul the opposition.
When Jesus sent out the seventy disciples on a mission trip in Luke 10, He gave them a team name, if you will. Do you know what it was? In verse 3 He told them this, “Go your way; behold I send you out as lambs among wolves.” The “Jesus Christ Lambs” – what a team name! Lambs are helpless creatures. Why lambs?
Lambs are sheep, and sheep exist in a flock. And a shepherd feeds, guides, and protects the flock. If the sheep follow a good shepherd, then they will be successful. Jesus Christ is our Shepherd (John 10:14) and if we will completely trust in and follow Him, we will never be led astray. He will always see us through and He assures our victory.
When the disciples came back to Jesus and reported on their mission trip, they were excited and had not only defeated the wolves, but also reported, “even the demons are subject to us in Your name” (v.17).
You want to defeat the lions, the tigers, the bears, and the demons in your life? Then be a dutiful lamb of Jesus.
Edd Sterchi
Broadway church of Christ
Campbellsville, KY