Friday, December 31, 2021
24-25 “A student doesn’t get a better desk than her teacher. A laborer doesn’t make more money than his boss. Be content—pleased, even—when you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment I get. If they call me, the Master, ‘Dungface,’ what can the workers expect?
26-27 “Don’t be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don’t hesitate to go public now.
28 “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.
Forget About Yourself
29-31 “What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.
-Matthew 10:24-31 The Message
The Meaning of Discipleship
Verse 24: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.
Verse 25: It is enough for the disciple that he may become like his teacher and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they insult the members of his household!
Verse 25 study: Beelzebul was known as the lord of flies and the prince of demons. The Pharisees accused Jesus of using Beelzebul’s power to drive out demons (12:24). Good sometimes is labeled as evil. Meaning this; Jesus was labeled evil, and as perfect as he is, his followers will get the same label and accusations. Those who endure will be vindicated (10:22).
Verse 26: “So do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known.
Verse 27: What I tell you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops.
Verse 28: And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul, but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Verse 29: Are two sparrows not sold for an cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
Verse 30: But even the hairs of your head are all counted.
Verse 31: So do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows.
Verses 29-31 studies: According to Jesus, God is aware of everything that happens, even to sparrows. You are far more valuable than they are. To show us we are valuable, God sent his Son, his only Son, to die in place of us (John 3:16). Since you are valued, you don’t have to fear threats of any kind or difficult trials. This type of behavior doesn’t shake God’s love or dislodge his Spirit from within you.
But, it doesn’t mean that God will take away all your troubles (10:16). The test of value is how well something holds up under fear, wear, tear, and abuse of our daily lives. But, despite these troubles, those who stand up for Christ will have lasting value and will receive great rewards (5:11-12).
Cross References
10:24
Luke 6:40; John 13:16; 15:20
10:25
Matthew 12:24, 27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15
10:26
Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17; 12:2; 1 Corinthians 4:5
10:27:
Luke 12:3; Matthew 24:17; Acts 5:20
10:28
Hebrews 10:31
10:30
Luke 21:18; Acts 27:34
10:31
Matthew 12:12
10:32
Luke 12:8; Revelations 3:5
Father, discipleship is an essential part of understanding you. We don’t need to be selfish to knowledge you. Let us be selfless in helping others and welcoming others into our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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