Jesus warned His disciples that they would face opposition in their lives because they adhered to Jesus and his kingdom.
As He told them about conflict, there is a crucial aspect of discipleship that he revealed.
“A disciple is not above the teacher nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher and the slave like the master.
“If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!” (Matthew 1024-25).
The religious authorities accused Jesus of performing deeds of power through the influence of Beelzebul, which is another reference to Satan. He told them that because they were part of his household, that is his followers, they too would be branded as empowered by the evil one rather than the King of all kings.
At a later date, Jesus proved the religious logically wrong about their assessment of the source of his power.
While Jesus warned his followers that they would suffer the same treatment as he did, he gave the church a tremendous truth: “It is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher.”
The fact that followers of Jesus can be like Jesus and imitate his behavior is a profound understatement. It is a tremendous privilege to think that we can have Jesus’ personality and inner self, as well as his outward behavior.
I have had the privilege of being with some amazing servants of the Lord. Their inner self and their outward behavior represented Jesus in an exemplary way.
These men and women had something in common with each other. They sought with all their heart to imitate what they found in the Gospels of Jesus’ teaching and behavior.
Truly it is enough for the disciple to strive to be like their master.
Don’t Be Afraid
My stomach was in knots every time I visited people when I was a young pastor. I was afraid of making mistakes and of rejection.
I never faced outright opposition, but I needed to hear Jesus’ message to his first disciples all the same.
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known.
“What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops” (Matthew 10.26-27).
At any age, our opportunity and responsibility is to relay to others what Jesus whispers to us during times of prayer and Bible reading.
People don’t need to hear the opinions of authors we have read. However, when Jesus gives us a message, we need to declare it to every available audience.
The best preaching and teaching come from deep moments of prayer and Bible study.
I didn’t need to fear in the early days of ministry, because I was doing God’s will and work. Jesus encourages all of us with these words to not fear when we are serving him.
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear 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 apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted.
“So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10.28-31).
Jesus frequently argues from a minor emphasis to a major point. If Jesus cares about the most insignificant birds and the number of hairs on a person’s head, how much more does he care for people who are serving his purposes on Earth?
When I was in seminary in New Orleans, my field education assignment was street witnessing on Bourbon Street. I was never threatened during the nine months of that assignment.
That doesn’t mean that I wasn’t afraid. I was in a completely new environment and in need of the courage to walk up to people to have a spiritual conversation.
When I remember those Monday nights and reflect on this passage, I think of a young man that I met. I bought him a bowl of gumbo and we talked about his life. We became friends and he attended the small church I served and received Jesus as his Savior.
Neither of us was any more important than sparrows that ate fallen food on Bourbon Street when we met, but we were precious to the Lord. God had me in the right place at the right time – overcoming fears – so a prodigal son could come home.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 