David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 10:24-33

“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 Beelzebul, 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, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on 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 apart from your Father. ³⁰But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. ³² So everyone 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.

These words of Jesus invite and challenge. He invites us to be confident in the ultimate triumph of truth and of the Father’s provision and protection of his people (worth more than many sparrows) and his honoring of those who honor Jesus. He also challenges us to be faithful even in the face of persecution and opposition, to go public with Jesus’ teaching, and to be faithful to Jesus at all costs.

Jesus says, “It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.” These words present a great challenge to us; it is no easy thing to be content with being like Jesus. His life by most human and worldly measures is not much. While he does gather a small group of followers, and manages to tweak the noses of the religious leaders of his day, he does not have a nice house, an impressive army, or many accoutrements of worldly success.

How silly is this assessment of Jesus’ success! His followers number millions, and he is the King of kings – all will one day bow in submission to him. He not only tweaks the noses of the religious leaders of his day but unmasks their hypocritical false piety. His house is a glorious mansion in the heavens with streets of gold and gates made of pearl. He succeeds in overcoming sin, Satan and death, and is exalted at God’s right hand above all powers, thrones, demons, angels, and names.

We may think that following Jesus is a meager calling. But he has all things in submission to him and one day will invite us into his presence and acknowledge us before the heavenly Father. What more could we want?