Scripture: Matthew
10:5a, 21–33
At the end of last week’s Gospel reading in which Jesus sent
out his disciples after urging them to pray for workers to be sent into the
harvest field, he warned them that persecution would come. In today’s lesson
Jesus picks up where he left off. He tells them that even family members will
betray believers to persecution and urges them to have no fear of earthly
suffering, but to remember whom they serve and his power. These are important
words for Christians to hear today as well, as we too are reminded that whoever
confesses Jesus before others in this life, Jesus will confess them before his
Father in heaven.
Teaching
Persecution is real and it takes place in our world. I have
spoken with Christians who grew up in Muslim homes who suffered at their family’s
hands because they believed in Jesus. I have talked with people who grew up
under the old Soviet state who spoke of what happened to Christians in those
lands. However, there is persecution and then there is persecution. Many of our
brothers and sisters in Christ suffer physically and financially – even risking
death – because of their faith. That is persecution. Yet sometimes, here in the
United States where I write from, we feel that if someone mocks, disagrees, or
speaks against us that we are persecuted, too. And while all suffering for the
sake of Jesus is an honor – we shouldn’t confuse what we go through with what
others are experiencing. Instead, we should simply be glad that Jesus acknowledges
us and pray for our brothers and sisters who suffer much worse for Jesus’ sake.
Life
In a sense this reading forces us to ask, “What am I afraid of?”
While it is no fun being contradicted, ridiculed, slandered, or even being
truly persecuted, is that experience truly more fearful than losing Christ and
our salvation? We are often overwhelmed by the experiences of life – some of
which truly are overwhelming! – when we should see God overwhelms that which
overwhelms us, and he has shown that he is for us by giving Jesus to endure
suffering and death on our behalf! Take heart!
So, what are we afraid of? Jesus tells us that God attends
even to the sparrows, and that we are much more valuable than they. God knows
what you are going through. He is with you and he will bring you through it. He
will give you faith to trust in him as you endure it, and finally bring you
home to glory where no sorrow or suffering can touch you because Jesus
acknowledges those who confess him in this life before the Father.
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