The Gospel and the Kingdom - Matthew - Jesus Instructions to Faithful Disciples - Part 2

 

TEXT: Matthew 10:26-28 – ²⁶ Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. ²⁷ “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. ²⁸ 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. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. ³⁰ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Today we’re continuing our series in Matthew and Jesus is apparently giving instructions to three kinds of Disciples – each living at a different time.

• ·      To former disciples living in the time He was with them
• ·      To future disciples living during the time of the Great Tribulation
• ·      To faithful disciples living throughout church history.

We have looked at the first two groups, we will the last group consider today. The first group is who we tend to call the Apostles (v.2). We had two quick takeaways: (1) God uses ordinary men in extraordinary ways, and (2) Our mission today is the take the Great Commission and the Great Commandment to our world today. Then we examined the Disciples of the future – the Great Tribulation. We had two quick takeaways – (1) The world is no friend to Christianity, and (2) We can count on the Holy Spirit to help us, as He will for those in the future.

In today’s passage, we continue to deal with the faithful Disciples throughout the Church Age – that includes our time. The Church Age is that time between Pentecost and the Return of Christ. We are a part of this parenthesis between God using His Chosen People of the past and His return of using them during the Great Tribulation. He is speaking of our discipleship and persecution.

We will see five “C’s” in this passage over the next few days. Yesterday, it was the Certainty of persecution.

Today, in these six verses we see Jesus speaking about the Confidence during persecution. He begins by speaking about what the people may do in verses 26-31.

Start by considering what’s the, therefore, therefore? This is a good reminder when interpreting Scripture. The use of “therefore” is like a hinge joining the previous and following statement together. What He is about to say ties to what He has just said. We can be certain that persecution will happen. But He gives us some confidence for going through this time.

He wants us to know that God is aware of all that is being planned and executed. So, keep on proclaiming the truth o matter what. They may kill the body, but not the soul. He uses the Greek word – Soma – which refers to the physical part of man. He then uses the Greek word - Pysche – that speaks to the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul, etc.). The (human) soul in so far as it is constituted by the right use of the aids offered it by God it can attain its highest end and secure eternal blessedness, the soul regarded as a moral being designed for everlasting life. The soul as an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death (distinguished from other parts of the body).

His reference to have “fear of God” (not Satan) is a reminder to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience to God.

In turn, then He speaks to what God will do in verses 29-31. He reminds us that God cares for both the body and the soul. He again uses the picture of God’s care for even tiny Sparrows.

So, if you are3 going through tribulation or struggles, have heart – turn your thoughts to God and remember that He will watch over and protect you. He will give strength to those who place their fear and faith on Him.

Tomorrow, Jesus describes the Conflict.