In The Word
Read: Matthew 10:24-42
The Meaning of Discipleship
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he 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 malign the members of his household!
26 “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 Do not fear 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. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.
37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.
The Reward of Service
40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Jesus warned the disciples that, just like Him, they would face criticism, rejection, and persecution, and that these negative responses would even come from their own families. Their own feelings and fears could hinder them as well, but Jesus taught the disciples that those things were not meant to keep them from carrying out the mission to share the good news of Jesus. The disciples were told not to fear man, even though man could kill them; they were told to fear God, He who determines their eternity. God cared for them and was with them in the difficult situations that they faced. If the disciples would confess Jesus to others, then Jesus would reward them by confessing them before the Father, but if they denied Jesus, then He would deny them as well.
It is easy to base our actions on what other people say and do. It is difficult to hear criticism or face rejection, especially from someone we are close to. Jesus did not say it will be easy to be His disciple, rather He tells us it will likely be the opposite. But we must understand that it does not matter if man is on our side, it matters that God is on our side. He is on our side when we are on His side and when we are doing what is right in His eyes.
Will you do what is right, just as God teaches us, no matter the opposition you face even from someone you love dearly? Stay on mission, God is with you!