His Word Today

²⁸ “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.” (Matthew 10:28 ESV)

Jesus told the Twelve Apostles to not personally fear anyone who could physically hurt them. The Lord did not deny the possibility that these men could face martyrdom for the truth of the Gospel. The implication is clear for believers today.

Fear (φοβέω; phobeo) can mean to be alarmed or afraid. It is a feeling of dread, perhaps when facing physical death. The reason for the believer’s fearlessness in the reality of physical death for Christ is that the enemies of the Gospel cannot kill the believer’s soul. Their inner self is untouchable and inextinguishable.

⁶ “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, ⁷ for we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” (2 Corinthians 5:6–9 ESV)

“²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”(Philippians 1:20–21 ESV)

⁶ “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6–8 (ESV)

Rather, Jesus warned the apostles, and us, to fear the One, True God who has the power and authority to condemn unrepentant sinners to hell; the eternal place of punishment. This is the fear of respect and worship. While believers in Christ are not to fear man, we are to fear God.

“The fear of man is not simply the fear of the harm that men may do to us. Surely the fear of harm partly drives our desire to be approved by men. However, most properly, the fear of man is, as (John) Bunyan put it, “the fear of losing man’s favor, love, goodwill, help, and friendship.” Simply put, it is “an idol of approval.” We seek to avoid persecution because of “idols of approval,” “comfort,” or “pleasure.” These idols lead us to compromise in order to gain approval—to give in to wickedness in order to gain acceptance and peace. It puts us in a vicious cycle of idolatry. Miserable though it is, the fear of man is the soul’s default setting,” explains Rev. Nicholas Batzig.

However, the fear of the Lord “is wisdom” (Job 28:28); “the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7); “hatred of evil” (8:13); “a fountain of life” (14:27); and “the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). The Prophet Isaiah called it a “treasure” (Isa. 33:6).

Who, or what, are you fearing today. It must not be man, or the culture of fallen man. Proper fear, respect and worship is to be centered in the One, True, Eternal God of the Scriptures. Have a God-fearing day.

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁶ “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” (Matthew 10:26–27 (ESV)

Jesus stressed the importance of being fearless when facing harassment and persecution as a believer in Christ. He said to the Twelve Apostles to not be apprehensive or anxious about any situation or event they encountered when sharing the Gospel.

The Lord explained to the twelve that the reason they did not need to fear. It was because He would also be harassed and persecuted.

“Nothing would be done to his followers that had not been done to the Master, but his triumph is sure, and so is theirs. For adds a reason; none of the things people do in secret will remain secret. The plots of the Jewish hierarchy against Jesus (and of all their enemies against the disciples) are in secret, and thus the evil may be made to appear to be the good. But this is temporary. In the end everything will become public. Publicity is an advantage to the good, but it makes things harder for the evil, whose ways must be concealed if they are to be successful. Let the disciples, then, not be afraid but preach openly the things Jesus has committed to them,” explains commentator Leon Morris.

Instead, Jesus instructed His men to be bold in proclaiming the good news of salvation. They were to herald the Gospel publicly and fervently. They did not need to fear.  

“John Knox, the great Reformer of Scotland, is often remembered as something akin to a biblical prophet born out of time-strong and brash, thundering in righteous might. In truth, he was “low in stature, and of a weakly constitution,” a small man who was often sickly and afflicted with doubts and fears,” explains author Douglass Bond in his book, The Mighty Weakness of John Knox.

“Knox did indeed accomplish herculean tasks, but not because he was strong and resolute in himself. Rather, he was greatly used because he was submissive to God; therefore, God strengthened him. That strength was displayed as Knox endured persecution and exile, faced down the wrath of mighty monarchs, and prayed, preached, and wrote with no fear of man, but only a desire to manifest the glory of God and to please Him.”

Are you a person or fear or faith? Let us resolved to be captivated by an insatiable desire to glorify God; even in the midst of harassment and persecution.  Have a God honoring day.

Soli deo Gloria!

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!