Matthew 10:34-39
Jesus explores several family relationships leading up to his conclusion of his instructions to his disciples. The key words are: peace (in contrast to the sword) and not worthy of me. Jesus asks his disciples to compare their love for their fathers, mothers, sons and daughters to their love for him. He also uses an oxymoron: whoever finds their life will lose it and whoever loses their life will find it.
This connects to what Jesus said earlier in his speech about brother betraying brother to death. He comes back to that theme here, quoting Micah. It also echoes Jesus' teaching about the cost of discipleship in several other passages, especially the phrase "whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me."
The point of this passage is that no matter what the people who are closest in my life think of me, I have to put Jesus first and follow him, even at the cost of family relationships and even to death if necessary. I struggle with this teaching because so much of what I hear today is that I should make my family my priority (after God and before my ministry). I agree that my ministry is not my job and that I could tend to make my job my priority but I'm not sure how people can seperate their obedience to God and their ministry so cleanly and I'm concerned that North American Christians are sometimes using their families as an excuse to not take risks for the kingdom of God. I wonder if we are showing Jesus that we actually love our families more than we love him. If that is the case, then we are not worthy of Jesus. Again, I'm asking the questions because I don't have the answers - I'm just trying to understand the teaching of Jesus here.
Showing posts with label Matthew 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew 10. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours
Matthew 10:32-33
The key word in this passage is public. Jesus is comparing my response to him in public to his response to me before the Father. The comparison is very clear: if I publicly acknowledge him, he will acknowledge me before the Father; if I publicly disown him, he will disown me before the Father.
This doesn't sound very grace-filled. It sounds a little bit selfish, actually, and petulant. If I ever said anything with this kind of tone to one of my friends I would have likely been punished by my parents. It sounds a bit contradictory to even Jesus' statements about how we are supposed to treat each other. It sounds a bit like the old tradition of "an eye for an eye."
However it does fit very well with Jesus' statements on forgiveness; unless you forgive your brother or sister, your heavenly Father will not forgive you. Jesus often makes the point that how we live our lives here on earth determines our treatment in eternity: whatever you did for the least of these, for example.
The question I clearly need to ask myself this morning is, am I publicly acknowledging my Lord?
The key word in this passage is public. Jesus is comparing my response to him in public to his response to me before the Father. The comparison is very clear: if I publicly acknowledge him, he will acknowledge me before the Father; if I publicly disown him, he will disown me before the Father.
This doesn't sound very grace-filled. It sounds a little bit selfish, actually, and petulant. If I ever said anything with this kind of tone to one of my friends I would have likely been punished by my parents. It sounds a bit contradictory to even Jesus' statements about how we are supposed to treat each other. It sounds a bit like the old tradition of "an eye for an eye."
However it does fit very well with Jesus' statements on forgiveness; unless you forgive your brother or sister, your heavenly Father will not forgive you. Jesus often makes the point that how we live our lives here on earth determines our treatment in eternity: whatever you did for the least of these, for example.
The question I clearly need to ask myself this morning is, am I publicly acknowledging my Lord?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
do not be afraid
Matthew 10:26-31
The key word in this passage is "afraid" which is mostly used in the phrase "do not be afraid". Jesus contrasts humans who can only kill the body, to God who can destroy both the body and soul. He compares the value of sparrows and the care God has for them to the value of humans, specifically disciples, and the care God has for them. The main point that Jesus is making is that his disciples should not be afraid because all hidden motives and actions of the persecutors will be uncovered, the gospel will be proclaimed despite their efforts, they can only affect the body and not the soul, and God cares very much for his disciples.
This encouragement is given in the direct context of Jesus' instructions just before he sends the twelve disciples out to spread the message of the kingdom. In the middle of talking about how the disicples will face persecution, likely even from the people who are closest to them, Jesus offers this encouragement.
While this encouragement was given directly to the disciples I can take comfort from it as well. The truth of Jesus' statement still applies today: the hidden motives and actions of those who persecute Jesus' disciples will be uncovered; despite the best efforts of the persecutors, the message of the kingdom continues to spread all over the world; the persecutors can still only destroy the body - only God can destroy both body and soul; God still cares very much about his disciples, right down to knowing how many hairs I have on my head (a number that is easier and easier to keep track of...). This connects very nicely to 2 Timothy 1:6-12 where Paul gives even more reasons for me not to be afraid or ashamed: I have everything I need to testify about the Lord (a spiritual gift, the spirit of love, power and discipline, the gospel itself and a people through out history who serve as examples for me). So, what God has whispered to me in private I will shout from the rooftops; what has been told to me in the dark I will proclaim in the day.
The key word in this passage is "afraid" which is mostly used in the phrase "do not be afraid". Jesus contrasts humans who can only kill the body, to God who can destroy both the body and soul. He compares the value of sparrows and the care God has for them to the value of humans, specifically disciples, and the care God has for them. The main point that Jesus is making is that his disciples should not be afraid because all hidden motives and actions of the persecutors will be uncovered, the gospel will be proclaimed despite their efforts, they can only affect the body and not the soul, and God cares very much for his disciples.
This encouragement is given in the direct context of Jesus' instructions just before he sends the twelve disciples out to spread the message of the kingdom. In the middle of talking about how the disicples will face persecution, likely even from the people who are closest to them, Jesus offers this encouragement.
While this encouragement was given directly to the disciples I can take comfort from it as well. The truth of Jesus' statement still applies today: the hidden motives and actions of those who persecute Jesus' disciples will be uncovered; despite the best efforts of the persecutors, the message of the kingdom continues to spread all over the world; the persecutors can still only destroy the body - only God can destroy both body and soul; God still cares very much about his disciples, right down to knowing how many hairs I have on my head (a number that is easier and easier to keep track of...). This connects very nicely to 2 Timothy 1:6-12 where Paul gives even more reasons for me not to be afraid or ashamed: I have everything I need to testify about the Lord (a spiritual gift, the spirit of love, power and discipline, the gospel itself and a people through out history who serve as examples for me). So, what God has whispered to me in private I will shout from the rooftops; what has been told to me in the dark I will proclaim in the day.
Monday, February 23, 2009
the gospel of peace?
Matthew 10:21-25
The language of this passage is startling and graphic. What makes it so startling is that Jesus talks about the extreme discord that will take place because of the gospel of the kingdom in families. The place where we are supposed to find shelter, love, acceptance will be so affected by the good news message of Jesus that a brother will betray a brother to death and a child will rebel against her parents and have them put to death.
Jesus uses another relationship, that of the teacher-student, to explain why the disciples should not be suprised by such opposition or think it strange when it happens: a student is not above his teacher so if the teacher is treated this way (betrayed to death) than the student should expect no less. If the teacher is hated, the student should expect no less.
This ties directly to what Jesus said in the paragraph just previous: the disciples are being sent out as sheep among wolves. It also ties very closely to his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake...
I guess the message for me is that I should be more surprised when I am not facing opposition than when I am. If I am not facing opposition, could it be because I am not really living according to the teachings of Jesus?
The language of this passage is startling and graphic. What makes it so startling is that Jesus talks about the extreme discord that will take place because of the gospel of the kingdom in families. The place where we are supposed to find shelter, love, acceptance will be so affected by the good news message of Jesus that a brother will betray a brother to death and a child will rebel against her parents and have them put to death.
Jesus uses another relationship, that of the teacher-student, to explain why the disciples should not be suprised by such opposition or think it strange when it happens: a student is not above his teacher so if the teacher is treated this way (betrayed to death) than the student should expect no less. If the teacher is hated, the student should expect no less.
This ties directly to what Jesus said in the paragraph just previous: the disciples are being sent out as sheep among wolves. It also ties very closely to his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake...
I guess the message for me is that I should be more surprised when I am not facing opposition than when I am. If I am not facing opposition, could it be because I am not really living according to the teachings of Jesus?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
a very brave or very foolish sheep
Matthew 10:16-20
Jesus uses a word picture of a sheep going out among the wolves. I have to work really hard to picture this. i can picture a wolf coming in among the sheep but that's not what Jesus tells us to picture. He tells us to picture a field full of wolves and a sheep walking through them. Jesus uses a lot of animals in this paragraph: sheep, wolves, doves, snakes. Jesus also includes a list of what the disciples can look forward to: arrest, flogging, trials. Even though they were not to go to the Gentiles at this time, they would attract the attention of the Gentile rulers and would be brought before their courts. Jesus tells his disciples to not worry about preparing a defense but to just speak as they are lead by the Spirit.
This all go against common sense: you don't send sheep out to combat wolves and you don't leave your trials to "chance". However, it fits completely with what Jesus had instructed his disciples to do so far: go on a journey but don't take any money or clothes besides what they are wearing. Again, against all common sense.
I wonder if Christians have taken on the characteristics of the wolf. I wonder if we have tried to fight fire with fire as a group. I wonder what it would mean for me to go as an innocent but shrewd sheep. Sheep are pretty vulnerable and humble animals. It would force me to rely completely on Jesus for protection and guidance. Do I dare?
Jesus uses a word picture of a sheep going out among the wolves. I have to work really hard to picture this. i can picture a wolf coming in among the sheep but that's not what Jesus tells us to picture. He tells us to picture a field full of wolves and a sheep walking through them. Jesus uses a lot of animals in this paragraph: sheep, wolves, doves, snakes. Jesus also includes a list of what the disciples can look forward to: arrest, flogging, trials. Even though they were not to go to the Gentiles at this time, they would attract the attention of the Gentile rulers and would be brought before their courts. Jesus tells his disciples to not worry about preparing a defense but to just speak as they are lead by the Spirit.
This all go against common sense: you don't send sheep out to combat wolves and you don't leave your trials to "chance". However, it fits completely with what Jesus had instructed his disciples to do so far: go on a journey but don't take any money or clothes besides what they are wearing. Again, against all common sense.
I wonder if Christians have taken on the characteristics of the wolf. I wonder if we have tried to fight fire with fire as a group. I wonder what it would mean for me to go as an innocent but shrewd sheep. Sheep are pretty vulnerable and humble animals. It would force me to rely completely on Jesus for protection and guidance. Do I dare?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
the disciples' practicum
Matthew 10:5-15
Jesus gives three basic instructions to his 12 disciples before he sends them out:
- go to the lost sheep of Israel, not to the Gentiles or Samaritans.
- preach "the kingdom of heaven has come near" and back it up with miracles.
- rely on others (and, by doing so, on God) to provide your basic needs.
At first, relying on others to provide for basic needs seems like the hardest thing to do but, as I think about it, backing up the message of the kingdom with miracles would also be very difficult. I can imagine the adrenaline rush as the disciple finishes his message with, "and to prove that what I am saying is true, I am now going to restore the sight of this blind man..." all the while wondering if it is going to work and realizing what a fool he will look like if it doesn't.
The character of God is revealed in this passage in the promised judgement on those towns and cities that would not welcome the disciples. Jesus says that it would be worse for them than it was for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement. This, in conjunction with Jesus' teaching in chapter 18 (not offending little ones) and chapter 29 (whatever you have done for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine) shows me that God takes hospitality very seriously. He is a God who welcomes people in. Am I revealing that part of God's character?
Jesus gives three basic instructions to his 12 disciples before he sends them out:
- go to the lost sheep of Israel, not to the Gentiles or Samaritans.
- preach "the kingdom of heaven has come near" and back it up with miracles.
- rely on others (and, by doing so, on God) to provide your basic needs.
At first, relying on others to provide for basic needs seems like the hardest thing to do but, as I think about it, backing up the message of the kingdom with miracles would also be very difficult. I can imagine the adrenaline rush as the disciple finishes his message with, "and to prove that what I am saying is true, I am now going to restore the sight of this blind man..." all the while wondering if it is going to work and realizing what a fool he will look like if it doesn't.
The character of God is revealed in this passage in the promised judgement on those towns and cities that would not welcome the disciples. Jesus says that it would be worse for them than it was for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement. This, in conjunction with Jesus' teaching in chapter 18 (not offending little ones) and chapter 29 (whatever you have done for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine) shows me that God takes hospitality very seriously. He is a God who welcomes people in. Am I revealing that part of God's character?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
choosing.
Matthew 10:1-4
The key words are: disciples, apostles, authourity. Matthew then lists off the twelve in pairs. I am guessing that these are the pairs that Jesus sent them out in. I'm not sure how chronological Matthew is in his report but it is interesting that Jesus just finishes talking about the harvest and the small number of workers and in the very next verse he is giving his authourity to twelve of his disciples (which, I think, is why they are immediately called apostles) and sending them out.
So, what can I learn from this passage? A couple of things. The first is that I must be ready for when God calls me to be the answer to my prayer. If I am going to pray that the Lord of the harvest sends out workers into the fields, I must be willing to go where ever he tells me to go. I cannot pray that God sends someone else (well... I guess I can but it would be rather hypocritical to pray that). And as I go, I can have full confidence that I go with his authourity.
Secondly, I need to be willing to work with whomever God assigns me to work with. Simon the Zealot was assigned to work with Judas Iscariot (the one who would betray Jesus). Andrew had to work with his impulsive brother, Peter. James and John, two brothers who were called the "sons of thunder", were assigned to each other. I don't imagine any of that was very easy. I don't know why Jesus put the pairs together like he did but, from what I know about him, I do know that he had a purpose. I want to be clear, I have no issues with anyone I am working with right now! The point is that God has a purpose for putting me in the context that I am working with in and part of that purpose involves the people I work with: learning from them and, in turn, teaching and guiding them.
The key words are: disciples, apostles, authourity. Matthew then lists off the twelve in pairs. I am guessing that these are the pairs that Jesus sent them out in. I'm not sure how chronological Matthew is in his report but it is interesting that Jesus just finishes talking about the harvest and the small number of workers and in the very next verse he is giving his authourity to twelve of his disciples (which, I think, is why they are immediately called apostles) and sending them out.
So, what can I learn from this passage? A couple of things. The first is that I must be ready for when God calls me to be the answer to my prayer. If I am going to pray that the Lord of the harvest sends out workers into the fields, I must be willing to go where ever he tells me to go. I cannot pray that God sends someone else (well... I guess I can but it would be rather hypocritical to pray that). And as I go, I can have full confidence that I go with his authourity.
Secondly, I need to be willing to work with whomever God assigns me to work with. Simon the Zealot was assigned to work with Judas Iscariot (the one who would betray Jesus). Andrew had to work with his impulsive brother, Peter. James and John, two brothers who were called the "sons of thunder", were assigned to each other. I don't imagine any of that was very easy. I don't know why Jesus put the pairs together like he did but, from what I know about him, I do know that he had a purpose. I want to be clear, I have no issues with anyone I am working with right now! The point is that God has a purpose for putting me in the context that I am working with in and part of that purpose involves the people I work with: learning from them and, in turn, teaching and guiding them.
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