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134. Not Just the Disciples, But Us!


Matthew 10:17-42, Luke 12:1-12
Key Verse: "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known."
Matthew 10:26

Jesus may have given this entire discourse at one time, as recorded in Matthew, but as we shall see, in future readings, the disciples experienced none of this unrest during their first, or as recorded in Luke, second venture away from Jesus. Jesus' message must have been meant for more than the immediate assignment.

His warnings here are not for the timid. He warns of struggle and persecution. Families will be torn apart and His followers will experience much suffering for the cause of Christ. His disciples did, in fact, experience many of these difficulties after the resurrection. Any student of church history knows that Christians throughout the ages, and especially today, have experienced, and continue to experience what Jesus described here, and much worse, at the hands of evil men, for the sake of Christ.

Yet, Jesus promises that, through it all, God is watching. All that evil will be revealed for what it is. Jesus assures us of our value in His eyes. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the Will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; You are worth more than many sparrows."(Matthew 10:29-31) In fact, you are worth so much that I'm going to die for you to have the right to reclaim you from the evil one who only wants to destroy you.

You are valuable to God. In return, He asks you to take up your cross, deny yourself and follow Him. Make Him more precious than your parents, more precious than your siblings, more precious than your child. He's calling you to a passionate, extreme relationship that puts Him first just as He, has done for you.

He's watching. He sees how you are treated. He has promised to make all things right in the end. Can you trust Him for that and spread the good news of His love to others no matter what?

Hymn: "So Send I You" 

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