A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:24–39
This lectionary reading continues Jesus’ words to the Twelve as He sends them off on a short-term ministry trip. Here, Jesus wants to prepare these men for what they will face as they travel among the people of God preaching, healing and casting out demons. I suspect this is a little practice run, a little training, in anticipation of when they will be going far beyond Israel’s borders after Jesus ascends to heaven.
Jesus warns them that they will be treated in the same way that He has been treated. They should expect that there will be those who will react against them, and some with quite a bit of vigor, even to the point of wanting to kill them. But Jesus tells them not to be afraid of these who will confront them. And He gives them some really good reasons why they should not fear them. For one thing, the Father who carefully watches over little sparrows, will certainly watch over them. And, on the last day, Jesus will single out to the Father those who were faithful to their appointed task and that even in the face of great pressure to compromise or worse. This links up with the biblical theme of rewards.
There is, however, another rather interesting reason that Jesus gives the Twelve not to fear any who oppose them. Instead of fearing people, they need to fear God. After all, Jesus tells them, the only thing that these people can do to them is kill them. But God, on the other hand, can destroy both body and soul in hell. Jesus wants these men to replace one fear with another. How interesting. Many today will consider this an odd motivation, maybe even a terrible motivation. Jesus, however, disagrees. And this is not surprising since many today do not understand the biblical theme of the fear of the Lord.
So, there is, on the one hand, the tender care and sure reward of the Father. Then there is, on the other hand, the threat of His punishment. These are reasons that encourage faithfulness that continue to this day.
This lectionary reading continues Jesus’ words to the Twelve as He sends them off on a short-term ministry trip. Here, Jesus wants to prepare these men for what they will face as they travel among the people of God preaching, healing and casting out demons. I suspect this is a little practice run, a little training, in anticipation of when they will be going far beyond Israel’s borders after Jesus ascends to heaven.
Jesus warns them that they will be treated in the same way that He has been treated. They should expect that there will be those who will react against them, and some with quite a bit of vigor, even to the point of wanting to kill them. But Jesus tells them not to be afraid of these who will confront them. And He gives them some really good reasons why they should not fear them. For one thing, the Father who carefully watches over little sparrows, will certainly watch over them. And, on the last day, Jesus will single out to the Father those who were faithful to their appointed task and that even in the face of great pressure to compromise or worse. This links up with the biblical theme of rewards.
There is, however, another rather interesting reason that Jesus gives the Twelve not to fear any who oppose them. Instead of fearing people, they need to fear God. After all, Jesus tells them, the only thing that these people can do to them is kill them. But God, on the other hand, can destroy both body and soul in hell. Jesus wants these men to replace one fear with another. How interesting. Many today will consider this an odd motivation, maybe even a terrible motivation. Jesus, however, disagrees. And this is not surprising since many today do not understand the biblical theme of the fear of the Lord.
So, there is, on the one hand, the tender care and sure reward of the Father. Then there is, on the other hand, the threat of His punishment. These are reasons that encourage faithfulness that continue to this day.
No comments:
Post a Comment