Scripture:
Matthew 10:16-23 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Persecutions Predicted
16 "Look, I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves. (A) 17 Because people will hand you over to sanhedrins [a] and flog you in their synagogues, (B) beware of them. 18 You will even be brought before governors and kings because of Me, to bear witness to them and to the nations. (C) 19 But when they hand you over, don't worry about how or what you should speak. (D) For you will be given what to say at that hour, 20 because you are not speaking, but the Spirit (E) of your Father is speaking through you. (F)
21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will even rise up against their parents and have them put to death. (G) 22 You will be hated by everyone because of My name. (H) But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. (I) [b] 23 When they persecute you in one town, escape to another. (J) For I assure you: You will not have covered the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Footnotes:
Matthew 10:17 Local Jewish courts or local councils
Matthew 10:22 Or saved
Cross references:
Matthew 10:16 : Gn 3:1; Lk 10:3; Rm 16:19; Php 2:15;
Matthew 10:17 : Mk 13:9;, 11; Lk 12:11-12; Ac 5:40; 26:11;
Matthew 10:18 : Mt 28:19; Rm 1:5; Gl 1:16;
Matthew 10:19 : Ex 4:12; Num 23:5; Dt 18:18; Mt 6:25;
Matthew 10:20 : Ps 51:11; Jn 1:33; Ac 2:4; Rm 8:9; Gl 5:25; Ti 3:5;
Matthew 10:20 : Lk 12:12; Ac 4:8; 13:9; 2Co 13:3;
Matthew 10:21 : Mic 7:6; Mt 10:35-36; Mk 13:12;
Matthew 10:22 : Mt 24:9; Lk 21:17; Jn 15:18;
Matthew 10:22 : Mt 24:13; Mk 13:13; Jn 12:12-13;
Matthew 10:23 : Mt 12:15; Ac 8:1; 9:25; 14:6; 17:10;
Reflection:
What does Jesus mean when he says his disciples must be sheep in the midst of wolves? The prophet Isaiah foretold a time when wolves and lambs will dwell in peace (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25). This certainly refers to the second coming of Christ when all will be united under the Lordship of Jesus after he has put down his enemies and established the reign of God over the heavens and the earth. In the meantime, the disciples must expect opposition and persecution from those who oppose the gospel. Jesus never hesitated to tell his disciples what they might expect if they followed him. Here Jesus says to his disciples: This is my task for you at its grimmest and worst; do you accept it? This is not the world's way of offering a job. After the defeat at Dunkirk, Churchill offered his country blood, toil, sweat, and tears. This is not the message we prefer to hear when the Lord commissions us in his service. Nonetheless, our privilege is to follow in the footsteps of the Master who laid down his life for us. Are you willing to accept hardship and suffering in following after the Lord?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, help me to patiently and joyfully accept the hardships, adversities, and persecution which come my way in serving you. Strengthen my faith and give me courage that I may not shrink back from doing your will.
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