Matthew 10:5a, 21-33
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them,
Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It 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 Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And 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. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Wow! What a week I just endured. Another one of those full life cycle weeks that seem to happen right around my birthday. I went from a birthday celebration, as best as we could live, to the death of a dearly loved Brother-in-Law. He was my wife's dear friend, protector and childhood lifetime buddy and a great friend of mine for more than half a century. We lived close to each other both physically and in spirit and cared for one another throughout life.
As I studied this weeks Gospel passage; little did I realize how it would hit so close to home for me this week. So, here goes... my humble layman's study of this weeks Gospel Word. Please read the passage above and I'll let you fill in the gaps between my thoughts with the Word you hear from God for yourself. Law and Gospel are sprinkled throughout. You will need to pick up on it for yourself.
First off, be willing to suffer for the Truth. Notice the cap on Truth. Truth is Jesus in this case. Jesus suffered for you, and you will suffer as you are a disciple of Jesus.. But, remember... In the midst of persecution in this sinful world... remember Jesus... look to Jesus. Jesus suffering was NOT for nothing. Jesus suffering was FOR everything!
Next, don't expect to be treated better that Jesus was treated. We are Jesus disciples. We are Jesus followers. We are Jesus students. He is our Master. We are becoming "like" Jesus not by our own works, but through Jesus works in us and for us. We are not disciples in this world alone. As disciples we have Jesus with us and in us. Our Master, our Teacher, our Savior, is always with his disciples.
As disciples of Jesus he teaches us to have no fear as we proclaim his grace and love for all the world. Disciples of Jesus will be mistreated and persecuted. But... we know... as disciples... persecution can't touch the soul. The power of fear stops at the flesh and we know through Jesus, the we are MORE than flesh.
Jesus having given us the confidence we need over fear sends, us out of our small group of disciples into this sinful world to proclaim the reality of Jesus love all over the world and all over the place. Be bold! Be strong! Go in the confidence that only our Master can give to each one us. Proclaim the free love of God in Christ Jesus to all the people God gives to you each day of your life on this globe.
We are spirit in flesh. We are flesh bound to the Truth (Jesus) to the living God.
(Now here is the part that struck me square in the face this week as I witnessed life and death.)
The body may die but the man does not die. God will keep us until his work is done and will gather us to take us home at death. Disciples face the fear of death. Jesus will give the faith needed to overcome fear. You can't muster up enough faith on your own to overcome the fear of death. We don't become faithful by our own works. Faith is a gift from God that shows us the Truth of God that we may turn to God in our sin and believe in God and God alone to overcome sin, death and the devil.
The spirit of man is beyond the earthly threat of death and separation from God. A disciples flesh and spirit are both in the hand of God.
This sinful world has set a trap for disciples of Jesus. The more proud you become of yourself the less valuable you become. Stop it! Don't gaze on yourself! Rather, turn around and stare at God. God will provide all that you need... not you!
You see, God doesn't mass produce stuff. Everything God makes is uniquely made by God's own hands. God is the Etsy Master of all the universe.
In our uniqueness before God, disciples turn to God in conversation. Each day, turn to God, confess your sin. Only God can remake you. You can't make yourself "right." You just can't. It won't work. Only God can remake us... make us "right." So, each day, turn to God and face him. And as you face God, humble yourself. Humble yourself in love for God and love for all that God gives to you each and every day.
When we confess God on this earth; Jesus confesses his belief in us at the throne of God in heaven.
Proclaim the free loving grace of God's love to all the world. God loves it all and us all and gave his flesh and very life to defeat our own sin, our most grievous sin, through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, to make us his own... to open paradise with him... to rest in peace until we all are resurrected to new life with God forever.
It's an Exciting Life in Two Worlds for us. Life is NOT boring. Life is a drama taking place in two worlds... today... tomorrow... and forever!
Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus, Lord and Savior of all, in all the worlds, and throughout all time and eternity!!! --- Amen
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