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
You do not have to be scared!
‘Do not be afraid.’ These words come up again and again in today’s verses.
Jesus encourages His disciples to hold on to their commission without fear.
They are to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God loud and clear (Matthew 10:26,27). There should be no misunderstanding that God’s Kingdom is near.
Therefore, disciples of Jesus should not be afraid of the people around them, but look to God in heaven, who has all power (cf. 1 John 4:17,18).
Humans are very limited in their power, Jesus teaches (Matthew 10:28a).
Amazing to read that.
Has He then closed His eyes to reality?
No, not that. Jesus knows very well that people can kill other people.
Yet their power is limited.
And you see that when you look to the LORD.
Because when you compare angry people with God, you see a big difference.
Then you see that God is in control of your life.
People can touch your body, they can hurt you, even kill you … but no one can take your place with God.
Seen from the perspective of the LORD, our life on earth today is not the most important. People can take your body from you, but never your life with God.
Through death, disciples of Jesus are hidden with God (Matthew 10:32).
Can you say that their body is not important?
No, disciples of Jesus are very important to God.
God interferes with all his creation, even the most worthless little birds He holds in his hand.
He also has all His children in His hand.
He knows them all.
A disciple of Jesus is much more important than a sparrow (Matthew 6:26).
Therefore they should not be afraid of enemies, God has hidden His disciples in His hand.
All their hairs are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31; Cf. Acts 27:34).
His guidance extends to the smallest detail in their lives.
A disciple of Jesus only has to worry about one thing: confessing the name of Jesus before the people (Matthew 10:32,33).
If he does his job well, God will take care of the rest.
Questions
- How are you doing your job?
- What are you afraid of?
Prayer Suggestion
- Ask the Lord to take care of you, also concerning … …
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