Matthew 10:24-33 NASB
²⁴A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. ²⁵It 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!
²⁶Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ²⁷What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
²⁸Do 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.
²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
³²Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. ³³But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
Devotional
Anyone who chooses Jesus must, and can know what to expect.
Not an easy life, in which your own ‘I’ is pampered; rather tension, danger, struggle and suffering.
We should not consider that strange or the worst thing that can happen to us.
When we see what our Lord Jesus experienced from the side of the world, we know that these people chose against Him. Those who take His side will experience the same.
After all, life is about choosing for, or against Jesus (cf. Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Joshua 24:14,15).
Do not be afraid of the opposition to Jesus.
We cannot be touched by a worse abuse and slander than that which Jesus endured. He was called “the prince of demons” (Matthew 10:24,25).
What a great dazzle and hatred!
But Jesus has triumphed gloriously and is now clothed with all splendor and the highest honour.
If we suffer with and for Him, we will also share with Him in His glory (1 Peter 4:13; Romans 8:17). And the latter outweighs the former (Romans 8:18).
God Himself can and will protect us.
If He takes care of plants and animals, how much more does He keep an eye on His children (Matthew 10:28-31)!
Our outward existence can be damaged or even killed, but not our essential person when we make the decisive choice for Jesus.
In the last judgment our Lord will make the all-decisive choice for us (Matthew 10:32,33). He will not then forsake us, but will stand on our side before everyone’s eyes and stand up for our justice which He gave us and restore it (Matthew 25:34).
So you can confidently stand up for Him everywhere now (cf. Acts 4:13,14).
We can’t manage to hold on to our lives as we’d imagined in our conceit.
But if we give up that ostensible ideal for Jesus’ sake in self-denial, then He will make us find Life, the real, new and eternal life (cf. Matthew 10:22). And that is more than worth the price of what we had to sacrifice!
Question
- In Luke 11:23, Jesus says, “He that is not with Me is against Me…” How do you speak about this to others?
Prayer Suggestions
- Pray that you always see what really matters in life.
- Pray that you will always have the courage to choose Jesus in every situation.
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