Tuesday, Feb 10-Matthew 10:21-31

21"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
-This will be crazy times. Seems like everyone is for themselves, which is very much like today.

22All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
-Being hated for loving Christ is to be expected. The disciples were doing nothing wrong when this happens.
-Promise is included here. We must stand firm. It's the proof of their salvation as well as ours.

23When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
-More instructions for the disciples. They don't have to stand under persecution, but should move if necessary. Their work won't be finished. There's no time to relax and think that they are almost done.

24"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
-Just a basic truth to make sure that the understand their standing. If Jesus suffered, they should expect the same.

25It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
-They should do what Jesus did. He throws in a weird opposite example. I suppose a house hold is like its master whether its good or bad. If Jesus is our head, then we should be like him all the more.

26"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
-Comfort for the disciples. They have no need to fear. They have nothing to hide. There are no secrets about what they are doing.

27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
-They are to make known all that they have been taught.

28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
-Again, no need to fear men. The body is temporary anyways. The soul is important.

29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
-It may seem like they are unimportant, but they are important and watched by God.

30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
-God knows the intimate details of their lives, even better than they do. They have nothing to fear because God loves them and will take care of them.

-What an exciting, but scary commission for the disciples. There's so much comfort necessary for what they are about to face. Constant reminders not to fear, and that they really are watched by God. We should remember the same in our times of persecution. We're called to speak when necessary and just like the disciples we must not fear.