Reading: Matthew 10-11
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household (Matt. 10:23-25)?
In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes (Judg. 17:6). Being a Bible-believing Christian in today's world can be difficult. Our beliefs are regularly mocked as ‘narrow-minded’ or ‘old-fashioned.’ Whenever we attempt to take a public stand for the principles of God’s Word, we find ourselves accused of being ‘bigoted,’ ‘prejudiced,’ or ‘elitist.’ When we openly worship God by living every facet of our lives according to His will, we open ourselves up to scorn and ridicule. We struggle to find our place in a world that appears to be actively fighting against the teachings of Christ. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (II Tim. 3:1-4).
As we read about the lives of Christ and His disciples, it is impossible not to notice that the problems we are experiencing are nothing new. Jesus Himself endured much the same type of harassment and persecution for the entirety of his ministry here on earth (Matt. 9:3,24,34). As He prepared to send His disciples out into the world, He warned them not to get discouraged but rather to anticipate and respond appropriately to mistreatment. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
We live in a big, wide world, and there are many here that are desperately in need of the healing touch of Christ’s love. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves (10:16). In order to reach those in need, Jesus wants us to openly stand firm in our faith, but He is not calling us to continuously waste our time beating our head against a brick wall. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you (7:6). We will never draw others to Christ by shouting or exchanging insult for insult. Instead of pausing to fight with those who scorn us, we can better serve Him by continuing on our way and reaching out to the next person we encounter. As we live our faith in Christian love, sure and steady, day-by-day, we demonstrate to friend and foe alike that we cannot be swayed from God's path.
Concerning the works of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not(Ps. 17:5).
Thought For TodayWhile we might believe that the world is getting worse all the time, sin is sin. God perceives the same fallen world He has always sought to save us from.
Cross Reference: For Matt. 10:11: 35-36: See Mic. 7:6. Matt. 11:5: See Is. 35:5; 61:1. Matt. 11:10: See Mal. 3:1. Matt. 11:23: See Ezek. 26:20; 31:14; 32:18,24. Matt. 11:29: See Jer. 6:16.
Word Studies: 10:25 Beelzebub = prince of evil; 10:29 a farthing = a small coin of little value; 10:35 variance = division, disagreement; 11:20 upbraid = rebuke.
Pray For Staff: Ryan McCrary • Government Officials: Rep. Mark Alford (MO), Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN), Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL) • Country: Costa Rica (4,755,234) Central America • Major Languages: Spanish, English • Religious Freedom • 76.3% Roman Catholic; 13.7% Evangelical; 1.3% Jehovah's Witness; 0.7% Other Protestant; 4.8% Other; 3.2% None • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord when you are oppressed (Ps. 102:8-13).