Matthew 10:24-39 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 10:24-39 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24"A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; Verse 25it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! Verse 26"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Verse 27What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Verse 28Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Verse 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Verse 30And even the hairs of your head are all counted. Verse 31So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Verse 32"Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; Verse 33but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. Verse 34"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; Verse 36and one's foes will be members of one's own household. Verse 37Whoever 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; Verse 38and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Verse 39Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Devotion
“Do not be afraid.” Why might we be afraid? Because life can be frightening and faith in Christ requires embracing rather than avoiding challenges. Jesus warned “the gate is narrow, and the road is hard that leads to life.”
At Luther Seminary in the 1980’s, a retired professor shared two insights: the first,“God saves the hardest challenges for the end of life;” the second,“God stacks the greatest gifts on the lowest shelves so they’re within the reach of everyone.” Life can be frightening—especially as we age—but fruit of the Spirit—like “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—is available to all.
When I was discerning a “call” to ministry, my grandfather, himself a preacher’s kid, tried to redirect me. His mother once needed surgery. His father first asked, “How much will it cost?” Not wanting economic hardship for me, he encouraged becoming a lawyer instead. Sometimes following a “calling” puts us at odds with even our closest relationships.
Prayer
Persistent God, who calls us to take our place among the faithful, thank you for gifting everyone with something to give, some role to play, some unique ability to contribute to your body. Awaken in us a faith that casts out fear, allowing us to walk in love, by faith and not by sight. Amen.