Matthew 10:24-11:6
“A disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a slave greater than his master. It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much worse will they call the members of his household!
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword! For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life because of me will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Whoever receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, I tell you the truth, he will never lose his reward.”
When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their towns.
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds Christ had done, he sent his disciples to ask a question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them —and blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me!”
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
COMMENT & QUESTIONS
This section continues Jesus sending out His 12 Apostles. Jesus makes it clear that He is not just some popular religious leader. His message is sharp and divisive. Everyone who hears the message will have to choose a side. The Kingdom of Heaven will cause you to decide what your priorities are.
When John the Baptiser is in prison, he sends his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the Christ. Jesus tells the disciples of John to look around at what they see. This confirms what Jesus said in Matt 7:15-20 (“By their fruits you shall know them”). What are some of the fruits that people can see in your life that show that you are a follower of Christ?
People will know if you are a follower of Christ through many attitudes and behaviours that should be visible in your life. Followers of Jesus should live a life that imitates how Jesus lived. In your personal relationships, it should be clear to people that you try to show patience, forgiveness, gentleness and compassion. If instead you are showing fruits of anger, resentment, apathy and harshness, these are indicative of a deep problem in your heart.
Prayers
Pray for families who have conflict because of the message of Christ
Pray for people around the world to receive the message that missionaries are sharing
Give thanks for the family of God which we are all welcomed into