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²³ “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.  ²⁴ “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ 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.” (Matthew 10:24–25 (ESV)

Jesus taught that His disciples would encounter difficulties and persecution because of the Gospel. He did not hide it and He did not minimize it. What was true for the first century church remains so today for believers in Christ.

Jesus said, ““A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ 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.”

“Jesus reminded the apostles He was not asking something of them He Himself had not already experienced. In reaction to His casting out a demon, the religious leaders had claimed He was working by the prince of the demons (cf. 9:34). If they accused Jesus (the Head of the house) of demonic power, surely they would say the same thing of His servants (the members of His household). Beelzebub (the Gr. has Beezeboul) was a name for Satan, the prince of the demons, perhaps derived from Baal-Zebub, god of the Philistine city of Ekron (2 Kings 1:2). “Beelzebub” means “lord of the flies,” and “Beezeboul” or “Beelzeboul” means “lord of the high place,” explains one biblical commentator.

The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Peter to explain and expand this doctrine of suffering service. It is appropriate for us to consider the following inspired and inerrant texts.

²⁰ “For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ²² He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ²³ When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (I Peter 2:20-23 ESV).

¹³ “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:13–15 (ESV)

¹² “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” (1 Peter 4:12–16 (ESV)

We are to trust, honor and rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, even when encountering persecution for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

²¹ “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, ²² and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:21–22 ESV)

Many believers in Christ have experienced persecution through the centuries for their commitment to the Gospel. Many have encountered harassment from members of their own family. Jesus acknowledged that this would happen. John 16:33 (ESV) says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Persecution and the harassment of Christians because of the Gospel may even extend to their families. Relationships within the family unit may become strained when one or more family members become believers in Christ. Misunderstanding and even downright hostility can occur (Matthew 10:34-36).

Jesus said a brother will deliver another brother over to execution. A father will do the same to his child, and children may do such against their parents. Commitment to Christ may have devastating consequences.

Jesus continued to say that His disciples, and in this context the apostles, would be hated by all kinds of people because of Jesus. However, those who endure such persecution and never renounce their faith evidence they are true followers of Christ.

“Jesus’ disciples have the privilege of carrying his name, but the antagonism and hatred that is directed toward him will naturally shift to them,” explains Dr. John MacArthur. (See 2 Tim. 2:11–13 and Jude 21).

“In a culture where family loyalty was essential and honor of parents paramount, these words would have sounded unbelievably harsh,” states commentator Craig Keener.

“These words of the Lord probably had an application beyond His own lifetime. What was proclaimed here was more fully demonstrated in the apostles’ lives after the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) in the spread of the gospel in the church (e.g., Acts 4:1–13; 5:17–18, 40; 7:54–60). But these words will find their fullest manifestation in the days of the Tribulation when the gospel will be carried throughout the entire world before Jesus Christ returns in power and glory to establish His kingdom on the earth (Matt. 24:14),” shares Dr. John Walvoord.

Are you ready for the conflict that comes with following Jesus? If you will not stand up for Jesus today when you talk to unbelieving friends and family members, will you be prepared to stand up against more hostile adversaries?   

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁹ “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. ²⁰ For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:19–20 (ESV)

Today’s text continues Jesus’ instructions when He sent out the Twelve Disciples as apostles to the Jewish community (Matt. 10:1-15). He instructed them what, and what not, to do as they served. It was at this point that the Lord told them not only what to expect, persecution, but also what to say.  

As previously noted, persecution is hostility and ill treatment. It is also persistent annoyance or harassment. In the context (Matt. 10:1-18), it is persecution because of the Gospel and being an ambassador of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21). It can come from the government, culture and personally from unbelievers; some of whom may be members of one’s own family.

Many believers in Christ have experienced persecution through the centuries for their commitment to the Gospel. How are we to respond when harassment happens by either the government, the culture or even our family and friends?  

First, Jesus said that persecution will occur; “When they deliver you over.” The personal pronoun “they” refers us back to the immediate preceding context of vs. 17-18. “¹⁷ Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, ¹⁸ and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.”  

Second, Jesus said, “do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say,” Here is a second promise. We are not to worry about what we are to say in such situations.

Third, Jesus said, “…for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.” Jesus provides a third promise. We will receive the words necessary to speak well in the midst of persecution.

Finally, Jesus said, “For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” The Holy Spirit will give us the words to say when we are harassed for preaching the Gospel.

“Jesus encourages the disciples not to be anxious because the same Spirit who has guided and empowered Jesus (4:1; cf. 1:18, 20; 3:1) will speak through his disciples amid their most difficult challenges,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

I have experienced the truth of these verses. When I have shared the Gospel and faced criticism or antagonistic questions, the Lord has given me the right answers to speak with the right attitude. Often times, those right responses were concerning issues or questions I had not expected to answer. This does not mean I did not prepare to answer specific questions. It means that some questions people asked, I did not anticipate. However, the Lord did.

1 Peter 3:14–15 (ESV) says, “¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

The principle of Scripture interpreting Scripture applies in today’s text. Believers in Christ should always be prepared to defend the Gospel. However, when facing harassment and arrest for the truth of God’s Word believers should rest in the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. In those moments, He will provide what is lacking in our thinking and speaking.

Soli deo Gloria!     

¹⁷ “Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, ¹⁸ and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.” (Matthew 10:17–18 (ESV)

Today’s text continues Jesus’ instructions when He sent out the Twelve Disciples as apostles to the Jewish community (Matt. 10:1-15). He instructed them what, and what not, to do as they served. It was at this point that the Lord told them what to expect; persecution.

As previously noted, persecution is hostility and ill treatment. It is also persistent annoyance or harassment. In the context of today’s text, it is persecution because of the Gospel and being an ambassador of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21). It can come from the government, culture and personally from unbelievers; some of whom may be members of one’s own family.

Today’s text prophecies what many believers in Christ have experienced through the centuries for their commitment to the Gospel; political and governmental persecution.

Jesus warned His disciples to beware of men. Beware (προσέχω; prosecho) is a present, active imperative verb. It means to pay attention to and to be alert for people antagonistic to the truth of the Gospel. Jesus told the twelve, and us, these individuals would certainly do things against them. What did Jesus say that these opponents would do?

First, they will deliver you over to courts. Followers of the Lord would be arrested and stand trial in a court of law. In the historical context, Jesus referred to local courts, or councils deciding cases. They were officiated by local elders or priests before a.d. 70. Thereafter, rabbis came to staff them, with a minimum of three judges per court. Peter and John encountered this type of persecution (Acts 4:1-22).

Second, they will…flog you in their synagogues. To be flogged (μαστιγόω; mastigoo) means to be whipped and scourged. Synagogues were not only places of public worship but also public discipline.  

“Synagogues were the local places of public assembly, and thus provided the natural location for hearings and public discipline. Sometimes discipline was administered in the form of flogging; under second-century rules, Jewish flogging consisted of thirteen harsh strokes on the breast and twenty-six on the back. These words would have struck Jewish Christians as particularly painful, because they signified rejection of their preaching among their own people,” explains commentator Craig Keener.

Third, you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake. “Governors” are Roman overseers in the provinces. There were three levels: propraetors, proconsuls and procurators. “Kings” may refer only to Rome’s vassal princes, like Herod, but probably includes others. The Apostle Paul experienced such harassment (Acts 21:27-26:32).

The reason for these difficult circumstances was not because of punishment. Rather, it was for the opportunity to witness before these leaders the biblical truth of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

“To be a Christian is to imitate Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). If many have persecuted Him, so also will many hate us for preaching His Gospel. We who follow Him cannot expect to escape the tribulation our Lord also endured (Matt. 10:24–25). Let us embrace this truth,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁶ “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”  (Matthew 10:16 ESV)

Today’s text continues the context of Jesus sending out the Twelve Disciples as Twelve Apostles to the Jewish community (Matt. 10:1-15). He has instructed them what, and what not, to do as they serve. It is at this point that the Lord instructs them on what to expect; persecution.

Persecution is hostility and ill treatment. It is also persistent annoyance or harassment. In the context of today’s text, it is persecution because of the Gospel and being an ambassador of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21). It can come from the government, culture and personally from unbelievers; some of whom may be members of one’s own family.

I have encountered many young people who sense a desire to serve the Lord Jesus in vocational ministry. Some are infatuated with the idea of being on a platform and receiving the adulation from the crowd. None are prepared for the possibility, and probability, that they will encounter persecution for their faith and service. Consequently, they become disillusioned and discouraged.

Jesus was quite open and honest about what the apostles in particular, and believers in general, encounter as servants of Christ. He sends people out to communicate a message that may result in them receiving a slap in the face instead of a pat on the back.

Jesus compared it to sheep, believers in Christ, being in the midst of wolves. Wolves are predators. Jesus was referring to fierce persons who attack Christians and have no mercy. They may do so verbally, the mainstream media for example, or even physically.

Consequently, believers in Christ are to be wise and innocent. Wisdom, the practical application of biblical knowledge, is compared with a serpent and innocence with an untainted dove.

“The serpent was the emblem of wisdom or shrewdness, intellectual keenness (Gen. 3:1; Psa. 58:5), the dove of simplicity (Hosea 7:11). It was a proverb, this combination, but one difficult of realization. Either without the other is bad (rascality or gullibility,” writes biblical scholar A.T. Robertson.

“Now that He is about to send His disciples into a world hostile to God’s kingdom, our Savior takes time in today’s passage to warn His followers that they will often bring His words to sinners who are all too eager to “shoot the messengers,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

“Knowing what is ahead, Jesus describes how we are to conduct our outreach. Verse 16 exhorts us to act with a wise innocence — “innocent as doves that we may not harm anyone; cautious as snakes that we may be careful of letting anyone harm us” (Augustine, The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the Twenty-first Century, vol. 3, 3:189).”

“We are not to be naïve, but we must realize that not all whom we encounter are who they say they are. Still, our mission is not one of subversiveness or automatic mistrust of everyone we meet,” concludes Dr. Sproul.

Praying for you today as you endeavor to be wise and innocent when sharing, and living out, the Gospel. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹³ “And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the Day of Judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” (Matthew 10:13–15 (ESV)

Jesus gave His Twelve Apostles specific instructions when He sent them out to the Jewish people. Our task is to examine those directives taken from today’s text. In Matthew 10:8, Jesus told His Twelve Apostles what they were to do as He sent them to the Jews. In vs. 9-12, He instructed what not to do. In today’s text, Jesus told His apostles how to respond to people’s reception or rejection of the Gospel.

And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. What makes a household worthy? Jesus referred to the inhabitants of a dwelling place. Worthiness would be determined by the people’s readiness to hear the apostles and the Gospel and their hospitality. Those who rejected the apostles, and the Gospel message, were to be rejected.

And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. “Shaking the dust off their feet as they left an inhospitable place symbolized their rejection of the Jewish city as if it were a despised Gentile city, whose very dust was unwanted,” states Dr. John Walvoord. See Acts 13:51.

Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the Day of Judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. Rejecting the apostles and the Gospel would result in judgment; much like what God brought to Sodom (Genesis 18-19). Increased revelation results in greater blessing when received and greater judgment when rejected.  

“For the most part, travelers in the ancient Near East could count on strangers to show hospitality and put them up for one night or longer. Jesus, however, anticipated that some would not receive His disciples (vv. 10–11). If they were rejected, the disciples were to shake the dust off their feet, an action that symbolized that the locale was unclean and subject to divine judgment. By rejecting the gospel, such towns, if they remained impenitent, sealed their doom,” explains R. R. C. Sproul.

Rejecting the Gospel means rejecting truth of God’s existence, sin’s existence, salvation’s existence and the only Savior and Lord’s existence. Repent of your sin and receive God’s salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

Soli deo Gloria!   

⁸ “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. ⁹ Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, ¹⁰ no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. ¹¹ And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.” (Matthew 10:8–11 (ESV)

Jesus gave His Twelve Apostles specific instructions when He sent them out to the Jewish people. The task at hand is to examine those directives taken from today’s text.

In Matthew 10:8, Jesus told His Twelve Apostles what they were to do as He sent them to the Jews. In vs. 9-10, He instructs them on what they are not to do.

Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts. Not only were the apostles not to charge money for their ministry (vs.8), but also they were not to acquire any gold, silver or copper. Their focus was to serve and minister to the Jewish people and not seek monetary gain. Jesus did not say to not own gold, silver or copper but rather in this context to not pursue such items.  

“Jesus is not prohibiting the Twelve from owning any of these items; rather, he is stressing the specific requirements of this particular mission,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

No bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. The apostles were not to make elaborate provisions for their mission. The basic necessities would be sufficient. Additionally the basic necessities were to be provided.

“This is to be a relatively quick preaching journey, so they are not to spend time procuring extra supplies; those to whom they minister must support their mission,” states Dr. MacArthur.  

And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As the apostles ministered, they would be ministered to by the people who responded favorably to the message of the Gospel.

“In sending out the Twelve, Jesus commanded them to travel light and to rely on the generosity of the people in the towns that they would visit. Given that Mark 6:30 indicates that this was a defined mission with only a temporary length, we are not to apply all of what Jesus says to every church mission. Therefore, for example, it is not necessarily a lack of faith to raise money for a mission before embarking on it instead of relying on help once we get to where we are going,” states Dr. R. C. Sproul.

Matthew 10:9-10 should not be interpreted to justify a church board not paying their pastor, or church staff, a livable and fair wage. Many church lay leadership endeavor to keep their pastor humble by paying a part-time salary for full-time work. This is not only inappropriate, it is also sin.

1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV) says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” The phrase double honor not only refers to the pastor’s position of leadership but also to the church’s financial package they provide for their pastor and his family.

Take the opportunity and time to review your church’s budget and the pastor’s salary. Be honest with yourself and before the Lord as to whether or not the church is being financially responsible and generous to their spiritual shepherd.

Soli deo Gloria!  

⁸ “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. ⁹ Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, ¹⁰ no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. ¹¹ And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.” (Matthew 10:8–11 (ESV)

Jesus gave His Twelve Apostles specific instructions when He sent them out to the Jewish people. The task at hand is to examine those directives taken from today’s text.  

Heal the sick, Jesus gave the apostles the ability to presently and actively heal (θεραπεύω; therapeuo) individuals who were disabled and ill. In fact, He commanded they presently and actively do so.

Raise the dead. Like theprevious statement, Jesus issued a second command. This included those whose illness or disability resulted in their death. The word raise (ἐγείρω; egeiro) literally means to cause to stand up.

Cleanse lepers. A third present active command to cleanse (καθαρίζω; katharizo) meaning to heal and to purify. The word is used some 30 times in the New Testament with the idea of cleansing or to make clean.  A leper (λεπρός; lepros) refers to any kind of dead skin disease.

Cast out demons. Cast out (ἐκβάλλω; ekballo) is the fourth present, active command. It means to expel, to drive out, or to throw out. The apostles could now drive out evil spirits as Jesus had already done (Matt. 8:28-34).

“Jesus instructed the 12 disciples to minister to both the spiritual and the physical needs of the lost. Thus the apostles’ message (the kingdom of heaven) is the same as that of Jesus (3:2; 10:1), and their power is an extension of Jesus’ own power (“authority,” v. 1), enabling them to do the same works he has done,” explains one commentator.

The apostles were not to charge money to share the Gospel or for their miraculous service. Jesus gave the gift of the kingdom of heaven, and the apostles were to likewise freely share the Gospel.  

Jesus had freely given them this ability and authority. Therefore, Jesus commanded them to freely give these blessings. What a different perspective this is in comparison to today’s faith healers who say they will heal if only people financially give; and give generously.

Take the opportunity to freely share the Gospel of Jesus Christ today. May the Lord use us to be a blessing to those who hear.

Soli deo Gloria!  

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, ⁶ but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷ And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (Matthew 10:5–7 (ESV)

Jesus gave instructions to the Twelve Apostles prior to sending them out on their journey. In the overall context (vs. 5-15), His instructions contain some hard sayings. Jesus’ words sound strange to today’s church culture and certainly to the secular culture. Therefore, we require the insightful and softening ministry of the Holy Spirit to provide instruction, insight and illumination to this extended text.

Jesus did not send His apostles to the Gentiles nor to the Samaritans. He warned them to not even travel the roads that would lead to their towns and villages. Rather, He wanted them to only go to the Jews and to proclaim that the kingdom of God was at hand. The apostles were to travel west, because in Gentiles lived in the north, south and east.

Jesus referred to the Jews as lost sheep. In others words, these were people who had wandered from the Word of God and the One, True God of the Word (Psalm 1; 19; 119). To be lost meant to be in the ways of destruction and ruin. They were unconverted.

Jesus commanded them to actively proclaim and herald the rule and reign of God was near. However, instead of a political kingdom like Rome, God’s kingdom would be eternal and a spiritual kingdom ruling the souls of the redeemed.

“Though Jesus had already commended a Gentile’s faith as greater than that found in Israel (Matt. 8:10), the focus of the first mission of the disciples were to the biological descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; Israel’s lost sheep (Ezek. 34:16),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul. “Faithful to His promises to the patriarchs, God has sent His Messiah to bring salvation to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Rom.1:16-17).”

The Jews have the priority here in this context to receive the kingdom of God. Even today, evangelism efforts must not forget the Jewish people. It is through Israel that God would provide a blessing to the whole world (Gen. 12:1-3).

“Christ did not forbid the disciples to preach to Gentiles or Samaritans if they encountered them on the way, but they were to take the message first to the covenant people, in the regions nearby (cf. Rom. 1:16,” explains Dr. John MacArthur. “Jesus narrowed this priority even more when he said the gospel was only for those who knew they were spiritually sick (Matt. 9:13) and needed a physician (Luke 5:31–32).”

Does your church provide mission funds for outreach to the Jews? Do you have Jewish friends who are in need to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord? If not, pray not only for your church to extend their outreach to the lost sheep of the house of Israel but for you also.

Soli deo Gloria!