Matthew 10:24-42

Matthew 10:24-42 NIV

“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 
“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.
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

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This section of Matthew 10 continues Jesus' instructions to the 12 apostles as He sent them out to minister in the surrounding villages of Galilee and Judea. He had warned them that, on account of His name, they would be dragged before rulers and judges. They may be punished for heresy by flogging. Their families may turn against them as their kin choose sides between Christians and Jews. Their family and friends will likely demonize them on account of Jesus, saying all kinds of terrible things about them. If they say Jesus is in league with Beelzebul, the prince of demons, then how much more will they slander and mistreat His followers? But Jesus tells them not to be afraid of them. Rather be afraid of the judge of all souls.

There won't be anyone getting away with anything without consequence. The Lord sees all and justice will be served. Nothing done in secret, will remain hidden. God will expose all wrongdoing. And as much as the ruling religious authorities wish to silence Jesus and His followers, they will not be able to stop the proliferation of the gospel of hope. Jesus tells His apostles to just keep sharing the good news. Keep on proclaiming all that He has told them.

Jesus, at once, both humbles His apostles and exalts them. They are not above Jesus for they are His students and servants, but they are becoming like Him. That is why Jesus entrusted the leadership of the church to these men. The book of Acts describes instances where the apostles are persecuted and put in prison. The first Christian martyr, Stephen, a Greek speaking Jew who was appointed to a ministry of service, was an adept evangelist. His teaching got him in trouble and he was stoned to death by order of the Sanhedrin, the religious ruling council of 70 elders.

Not one of these apostles would fall to their deaths apart from God's care. I do appreciate how the 2011 NIV puts it.

Matthew 10:29 NIV

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

The Greek word "aneu" is often translated as "apart from", but it means in this context "without one's will or intervention." In other words the apostles will not suffer or die without God's knowledge and consent. It would seem wicked for God to consent to the death of those who serve Him, but we make no such claims against city officials when police officers die in the line of duty. They are in danger of violence because they enforce law and order upon those who do not obey the law. In the same way the apostles were up against the powers of the world, the establishment. As representatives of Christ and His kingdom they were a threat to the status quo. They died advancing the Lordship of Christ and diminishing the grip the devil has upon this earth. These spiritual dominions clash and violence occurs on the front lines where the apostles led and served. Some will necessarily fall for the cause. They gave their lives gladly so that the world might be set free in the love and grace of Jesus Christ. But God did not hand His cherished servants over to death without pain. He cares deeply. So when death is necessary to further the advancement of the kingdom of heaven, it occurs under the care of God. The dead are immediately rescued into the eternal embrace of the creator with His gratitude. Great is their reward.

Jesus continues by promising to acknowledge His apostles before God when they stand before the Judge of all souls. He will speak up for them because they spoke up for Jesus when under persecution. When ordered to be silent, the apostles kept on proclaiming the gospel.

Acts 4:18-20 NIV

Then they (The Sanhedrin) called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

He also warned that if they deny Him, He will do the same when they stand at the final judgement. He will deny He knows them.

Matthew 7:23 NIV

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The battle between the power of love and life versus the power of sin and death is violent and causes casualties. The appearance of the Christ did not bring peace immediately, except to the hearts of those who believe. The kingdom of heaven creates a rift, even within the home as members choose sides. Jesus speaks of families torn apart when one chooses Christ but others do not.

It would be understandable if a disciple of Jesus felt that losing his family over his beliefs may not be a cost he's willing to pay. Jesus plainly states that if you choose your family over Him, you are not worthy to be His. That may hurt, but that's the kind of dedication required for the battle being waged. The apostles gave up everything so that the world would hear the good news. Thank God for them and all who have sacrificed over the centuries that we might enjoy the freedom Christ gives.

Then, as if Jesus knows others are listening in on God's instructions to His apostles, He promises rewards to those who do receive the apostles with open hearts and open homes. Those who support the apostles when they come to town will be rewarded. The least show of kindness will not go unrewarded. What you give in support of those on the front lines, the evangelists, the missionaries, the community leaders working for social justice, the pastors and teachers, the same reward will return to you and more.

The call of the apostle was all consuming. But their sacrifice changed the world. Look how the world has changed since Jesus walked the earth in Palestine! Look what 12 dedicated men, and those who supported them, accomplished with the grace of God! Be forever grateful and desire your heavenly reward for your part in the great overturning of power that is occurring even now. The kingdom of heaven is advancing and the kingdom of darkness is fading. Do not fear them. Fear God and join the campaign.