Matthew 10:16-23 (ESV)
"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. [17] Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, [18] and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. [19] When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. [20] For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. [21] Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, [22] and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [23] When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
It seems here that what Jesus says does not only apply to the sending out of the twelve but is advice for the pastoral office of all time, and not just the pastoral office, but all Christians can take this to heart. It perhaps, though was a greater reality for the disciples who most certain were dragged before governors and kings for the sake of Christ. It happens today to be sure. It does not always happen in the same way or with the same intensity as it did for the disciples.
Yet the words not to be anxious about what you will say, those words still ring true. We should not be anxious. There are times when Christians are called on the carpet for their faith. We are called on the carpet not only by governors and kings, but by friends, coworkers, family members and acquaintances. These opportunities are opportunities to be coveted! Though they may not feel so at the time. The best thing to do is say a short prayer, even if just to yourself, that the Holy Spirit would give you courage to answer, courage to speak the faith.
But this is no excuse not to inform your faith. The Holy spirit would work through the disciples, would speak through the disciples. And no doubt God can speak truth even out of ignorance, the mouths of babes sing his praise. But the disciples were grown men, who studied with jesus for years before Christ sent them out to speak. We do well ourselves to study God’s word day in and day out, study it in the morning and evening, learn it and know it, so that as our faith is informed and grows deeper and deeper we have more opportunity to speak even more clearly the word of God to our friends and family and let them know that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and this is our hope, he has conquered death in our place.
2 comments:
I find this passage very comforting.
I also like this part of the verse that often gets left out, “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” Especially in my old sect days when you are almost taught to “seek out persecution”, at least that’s implied a lot “Will you bear YOUR Cross for Christ”, is how it often comes.
If we find ourselves jailed that’s one thing, but we are also told to flee that town when they persecute you. Of persecution, Paul makes clear in Gal. 3, is not just or only the sword but laughter at the promises (what Ishmael did to Isaac). This we find more often than not even amongst heterodox churches. More than once are we laughed at and snickered at for having our babies/infants baptized. And what is that but shear persecution, Ishmael laughing at Isaac for daring to believe the promise.
I also like this part of the verse that often gets left out, “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” Especially in my old sect days when you are almost taught to “seek out persecution”, at least that’s implied a lot “Will you bear YOUR Cross for Christ”, is how it often comes.
If we find ourselves jailed that’s one thing, but we are also told to flee that town when they persecute you. Of persecution, Paul makes clear in Gal. 3, is not just or only the sword but laughter at the promises (what Ishmael did to Isaac). This we find more often than not even amongst heterodox churches. More than once are we laughed at and snickered at for having our babies/infants baptized. And what is that but shear persecution, Ishmael laughing at Isaac for daring to believe the promise.
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