Matthew 10:24-39 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 10:24-39 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24"A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; Verse 25it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! Verse 26"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Verse 27What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Verse 28Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Verse 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Verse 30And even the hairs of your head are all counted. Verse 31So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Verse 32"Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; Verse 33but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. Verse 34"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; Verse 36and one's foes will be members of one's own household. Verse 37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; Verse 38and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Verse 39Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Devotion
The days following Pentecost are a time for growth in discipleship with a deepening of our faith. This text is from Jesus’ second discourse in Matthew, where he specifically discusses the demands of discipleship. Prior to this text, Jesus gives the twelve disciples reasons to be filled with fear: they are sheep in the midst of wolves; they will be flogged and arrested; they will be betrayed by family members, and they will be hated by all. Discipleship is not for the faint of heart!
After giving those reasons for being fearful Jesus says, three times, not to be afraid.
Living in our post-modern, post-9/11 world, we don’t need more reasons to be fearful. But we do need those words of comfort and gentle peace so that we are not afraid —- and so that we do not lash out in fear and bring about more terror and destruction.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to not have hearts filled with fear. Instead, help us to be your bold disciples who are witnesses to your gentle reign, bringing peace and new life to a fearful world. Amen.