“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. (Matthew 10:16-18)
As we studied in the previous lesson, Jesus is preparing to send the twelve disciples out in pairs, throughout the cities and towns of Isreal, to teach and clarify the Word of God to the children of Isreal; because most of them had been mistaught by the religious leaders, as Jesus had explained to them, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39; see THE GOSPEL: Laborers for the Harvest) He warns them in the above scriptures to be very careful how they behave and very observant at all times, and when they are taken before the leaders of the areas they enter, they will be testifying not only to the Jews, but to non-Jews also. Remember, during this time, Isreal is under Roman control, therefore they will be testifying publicly to people of all backgrounds, so He instructs them, But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. (Matthew 10:19-20)
This is very powerful! Oftentimes, when we are testifying or sharing with others why we believe in God and what He has done for us, we get so caught up in saying so much that the hearer looses interest. Jesus promised us that, ...the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26) God knows what He wants us to say to others as we witness and testify to them, For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) The words are coming out of our mouths, but The Word of God is what should be spoken, for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Jesus also warns the disciples and all of us who believe in Him that we won't just have problems with religious leaders who are "fasle teachers"; but we will also have problems with people within our own families, because they would rather continue believing in lies than believing The Truth: “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:16-23) During this particular time in Isreal's history, the people were so afraid of the Roman government, that they would "sell out" anyone, even a relative, in the hopes that they themselves would be spared. This can also be explained this way, For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26) But he who endures to the end will be saved! However, Jesus assures the disciples that no physical harm leading to death will come to them, until after the Son of Man comes.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. (Matthew 10:24-26) Jesus is reminding the disciples that the Pharisees and other Jewish religious leaders have called Him "everything but a child of God", and that they should expecct to be treated the same way, because they are His disciples. But then He makes it clear that The Truth will be revealed. For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (Psalm 18:29-30) Just as God protected the disciples on their missionary journey, He will protect us also. But Jesus has died and resurrected, so death may come to us also, as it does for so many believers throughout the world, But he who endures to the end will be saved!
“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:27-31) POWERFUL! Nothing will happen to any of us, believers and non-believers alike, unless God allows it to. “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die. But if a man is just And does what is lawful and right; ... He shall surely live!” Says the Lord God. (Ezekiel 18:4-9) Just as Cassie René Bernall, a student at Columbine High School in 1999, was asked by one of the gunmen, who was also a fellow student, if she believed in God, while he had a gun pointed at her, she bravely and boldly replied "Yes", and then he killed her. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Jesus said..., “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. (John 11:25-26) We will study this further, as we continue...
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