Matthew 10:16-33

Be Still: Lord, please speak to us as we spend time meditating on these verses, individually and as your body, the Church. Amen.

Read: Matthew 10:16-33

‘You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

‘So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’ (vv22,26-31)

Encounter: Jesus doesn’t mince his words to the disciples before they go out alone to preach the Good News. The Gospel was and continues to be contentious, outrageous, and divisive. The mercy God freely offers will be rejected by those who think some people deserve more than others. The freedom from slavery will be rejected by those who profit from it. The challenge to live holy lives in the Spirit will be rejected by those who will not sacrifice their comfort. The call to be outspoken disciples of Jesus of the Cross will be rejected by those who think strength and victory come from power and aggression. 

The Gospel is counter-cultural!

However, as those who follow Jesus, we are promised so much more. We might suffer now, but we will receive salvation if we stand firm to the end. In this passage, he promises that while we may face troubles, we are children of God, worth more to him than sparrows, who themselves live within his care.  

However, there is a warning here too – as The Message puts it, ‘Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.’ (v:28). This isn’t a threat but a reminder that our soul is our most precious treasure. Although we are encouraged in this passage not to fear, we are also reminded that God holds ultimate power. While we may see evil in the world, we must be careful that we don’t adopt the strategies of bullies, in facing them down.

Apply:

Do you think of the Gospel as contentious and outrageous? Why/why not? 

Are you ever tempted to meet evil with evil, hate with hate or anger with anger? Perhaps not with physical violence, but by the way you treat others, and crucially, how you oppose evil? What is righteous anger?

Devote: Jesus, please give us the courage to preach and live out your life-changing, hope-bringing Gospel. Give us strength and courage to be agents of love and reconciliation.