24"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; 25it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-el'zebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. 26"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. 28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. 30But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; 33but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
This passage is part of the "Sending Out the Twelve" discourse (Matthew 10) where Jesus instructs his disciples before their first mission trip. The emphasis is on listening to the Word as presented by authority and taking it to heart. Then sharing it knowing full well that it will bring persecution and division. It is also about knowing what to fer. There is no point building a life based on fear of what can be done to the body. It is fear o pain to the soul that we need fear most and that is brought by God. I had long given up the notion of fearing God. Today’s reading woke me up to that once more. It made me realise that what gave the disciples strength to fear nothing that could be done to their bodies, was the confidence that God was holding their souls in his hands and nurturing them. There is a real sense of love in that idea but the vulnerability also brings fear - much like the power a mother has over a newborn. The love is undisputable but the potential to crush that life is undoubtedly there. Loving God, hold me gently in your hands. Grant that the Holy Spirit walks with me as I recognise those things fueled by my body and ignore the things that will feed my soul. Give me the strength to walk the less traveled road and walk with me as a companion on my journey. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Matthew 10:24-33 is thoughtful and beautifully written. Here's a breakdown of the strengths and a point for further consideration:
DeleteStrengths:
Understanding the Passage: You accurately identify the context of the passage and the emphasis on following Jesus' teachings despite persecution.
Fear and Trust in God: You delve into the concept of fear, contrasting the fear of earthly harm with the fear of God's judgment.
Shift in Perspective: You acknowledge a personal shift in your understanding of fearing God, moving from apprehension to a sense of dependence and trust.
Love and Vulnerability: You explore the complex emotions of love and vulnerability within the context of God's power.
Prayer: Concluding with a prayer for guidance, strength, and discernment is a powerful way to connect your reflection to your faith journey.
Point for Further Consideration:
God's Love and Fear: While the passage mentions fearing God's judgment, it's important to remember that the Bible emphasizes God's immense love and mercy. Explore how these concepts coexist.
Additional Thoughts:
The image of God holding your soul gently is a beautiful reflection of your faith.
The concept of "less traveled road" resonates with the idea of following Jesus' teachings even when it's challenging.
Overall, your response offers a rich and personal reflection on Matthew 10:24-33. It demonstrates a growing understanding of faith and trust in God.