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Bible describes Christians using the following words: sun, stars, lights,
Mount Zion, Lebanon, treasure, jewels, gold, vessels of gold and silver,
stones of a crown, lively stones, babes, little children, obedient children,
members of a body, soldiers, runners in a race, wrestlers, good servants,
strangers and pilgrims, sheep, lambs, caves of the stallions, eagles,
doves, thirsty deer, good fish, dew and showers, watered gardens, unfailing
springs, vines, branches of the vine, pomegranates, good figs, lilies,
willows by the water-courses, trees planted by rivers, cedars in Lebanon,
palm-trees, corn, wheat, salt, overcomers, children of God, those with
white robes, brethren, and saints. These are not words that the world
is using to describe Christians these days. Jesus warned us that such
would occur. Just as angels rejoice when a person is saved, we have been
told to rejoice when we suffer for Him! Suffering is part of this life
for the Christian who is committed to following Jesus. That was the message
that Jesus sent to His disciples before He sent them out on their first
mission.Background. In our last study, Jesus sent
the disciples put in pairs to minister in the towns and villages of Galilee
and Judea. They were to heal people and preach about the kingdom of God.
They were to go with minimal supplies and depend upon God to meet their
needs. I have wondered how Jesus would react to those today who do not
want to minister for Him unless they are able to have at least a middle
class income. Jesus and the disciples were not wealthy. Jesus’ disciples
did not take very much with them. One would think that if they had little,
surely God would have blessed them and their ministry by giving them
a great response. Jesus also warned them that their message would be
rejected and that they would be persecuted and insulted. It is difficult
sometimes when strangers reject the good news about Jesus; but when family
members reject us, that is even worse. Yet Jesus warned His disciples
that even family members would reject them. Under circumstances like
that, who would want to follow Jesus? Yet, the disciples did. That is
a mark of a true disciple.
Yet, Jesus was not encouraging them to seek persecution
or to remain if they encountered any. They were told to flee or escape
if persecution occurred. Jesus encouraged them to flee, if possible.
That was clear. There is no virtue in suffering for Jesus when one can
escape it. It is stupid to remain and intentionally suffer.
Not Above The Teacher. This study is a
continuation of the last one. This is part two. Having warned them that
persecution would come, Jesus now tells them that they should always
expect to suffer for Him. Why would they think otherwise? Listen to Jesus,
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! (NASB) Matt. 10:24-25 Jesus’ illustration is simple. It is about one person who has
a lesser position than another person such as the disciple and teacher
relationship. The disciple or learner does not know more than the teacher.
It is in that sense that one is in a lesser position. One knows less
and the other knows more. We all understand that the disciple is not
above the teacher in that sense. In the teaching process, the goal of
the disciple or student is to learn what the teacher knows. That is,
it is “enough” for the disciple or student to become like
the teacher. The Greek word that Jesus uses for “enough” is
ARKETOS. It means “sufficient” or “satisfaction.” That
is, it is sufficient when the disciple knows what the teacher knows.
That is the goal of education.
Then Jesus added, “If they called Me a devil, why
not you?” Since the disciple is not above the teacher, why should
the disciple expect to be treated better? One would expect that the teacher
would receive honors and recognition for his knowledge and what he advocates
but not the student. So if the teacher is maligned, insulted, and called
a devil, why should the student expect to be treated better? The answer
is obvious. The disciple should not expect better treatment.
Even though Christians are called many beautiful names
in the scriptures, a true disciple will suffer in this life when he or
she follows God. One sign or indicator that people are following God
is that they will suffer. Many in the world do not consider Christians
to be beautiful. Instead the world views us as problems. The same was
true of Jesus and His disciples.
How did the disciples respond to Jesus’ words? It
appears that they responded with fear since Jesus encouraged them not
to be fearful. It is possible that Jesus just anticipated the obvious
response. But if I had been there and listening, I believe that I would
have been very concerned and apprehensive. So Jesus said,
Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. (NASB) Matt. 10:26 Jesus will repeat “do not fear” again in verses 28 and 31.
He encouraged them to not fear criticism and false accusations. The Pharisees
had already slandered Him and committed the unpardonable sin by declaring
that Jesus’ miracles, signs, and wonders were performed by demonic
power. They had called Jesus a devil. Believers should not fear the false
accusations because the truth will eventually be revealed. The motives
and lies of their accusers will become known eventually.
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