Matthew 10:16-26 Persecutions Are Coming
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.”
Ah, ministering the Gospel! Stand before a receptive crowd of people, tell them what Jesus has done for them, explain the Scriptures, and they will all receive you happily and tell all their friends……Sounds fine, until the first stone hits!
Jesus has already warned his disciples that when he is sending them out, sometimes they will be received well and sometimes they may meet complete opposition. Now Jesus is going even farther to warn the disciples that they may be persecuted and even killed. Is Jesus advising his followers to be paranoid? No. Jesus is advising his followers to be wise, paying attention to what’s happening around them. But at the same time, they are to be harmless, even though they may be surrounded by those who might harm them.
“But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” Here Jesus is warning his followers that they WILL be delivered up to councils and scourged; however, they are to trust God for the words they should say. In case anyone has treasured misconceptions about how easy it will be to follow Jesus, these warnings should change their minds. And the warnings become even more stringent.
““Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” True disciples must be prepared to give up everything that makes life lovely, including relationships with parents and siblings as well as friends. There may be times when disciples will be hated by everyone, forcing them to flee from city to city, spreading the Gospel as they go. Disciples must single-mindedly tell others about Jesus by their words, their deeds, and their demeanor.
”A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” Just as Jesus was persecuted, so his disciples should expect persecution and insults. But God knows the human heart and God knows the schemes of those pretending to be friends while they are plotting destruction.
At first, this passage is extremely depressing. Can Christians only expect persecution and hardship? NO! While persecution and hardship may come, the joy of serving Jesus far outweighs any suffering. Knowing the love of God and experiencing it is far more important than any amount of struggle.
May we know the joy of Jesus’ love and trust him, no matter what may come. Let’s pray.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thinking about suffering frightens us. Help us to trust You and to lay down our lives, knowing that You are worth any amount of suffering. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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